France: Ex-IMF Head Strauss-Kahn Charged In Prostitution Case
By Ria Novosti
French investigators charged Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the former head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with an alleged involvement in a French prostitution ring, a statement from prosecutor’s office in Lille said.
Strauss-Kahn was questioned at a prosecutor’s office in the northern city of Lille on Monday. He is under investigation over the so-called Carlton Affair for his alleged involvement of organizing orgies with prostitutes, most of which were held in French Carlton hotel. He is also suspected in similar events organized in Washington and Brussels.
The statement said that after the questioning, Strauss-Kahn was placed under the judicial supervision, was prohibited from contacting other people involved in the case and had to pay 100,000 euros in bail.
If the 62-year-old former IMF head is found guilty on charges pressed against him, he may face up to 20 years in prison.
In 2011, Strauss-Kahn, who was considered French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s greatest rival at the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for this month, was under investigation for sexual assault on a hotel maid in New York.
The case was opened on May 14 after 32-year-old Nafissatou Diallo claimed Strauss-Kahn had assaulted her sexually at the Sofitel New York Hotel. Strauss-Kahn pleaded not guilty and said sexual contact with the maid was under mutual consent.
