IMF Chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn Arrested in New York Over Alleged Sexual Assault
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Dominique Strauss-Khan (often known as just DSK) has been arrested in New York over allegations of sexual assault with a chambermaid.
The head of the IMF came to New York to do business and then was expected to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel, but he ended up spending the night in a New York prison cell for alleged serious sexual assault on a hotel chambermaid.
Dominique Strauss-Khan, who is often referred to as just DSK in his native France, denies all charges that are being brought against him. His lawyer said he will, “vigorously defend these charges and he denies any wrongdoing.”
Dominique Strauss-Khan had won high praise for his handling of the economic crisis and was widely expected to mount a challenge to Nicolas Sarkozy for the French Presidency.
It appears that even if these allegations are false, it has already done severe damage to his reputation and career unless his lawyers can get them overturned very quickly.
He is married but has a reputation in France as having an eye for the ladies. In 2008 he was criticised by the board of the IMF for having an consensual affair with a subordinate saying that it was a serious error of judgement.
In France there was disbelief, many saying that such allegations of violence are completely out of step with the man that they know and asking for people to respect the presumption of innocence. Some even go as far as saying it is another political conspiracy in a long list French political conspiracies.
Solid facts about the incident are hard to come by, but we know that he was arrested on an Air France flight that was just about to take off from JFK airport heading for Paris.
We know that the incident took place in a Manhattan hotel close to Time Square on Saturday. The maid told hotel staff what had happened and they called the Police.
No doubt more details will emerge in the days ahead and given his position within the IMF this incident will have a wide ranging effect. Already the Euro is down against the dollar reflecting concerns in the market.
Photo: World Trade Organisation
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