International Monetary Fund Head Arrested in NYC

The head of the International Monetary Fund, Dominque Strauss-Kahn, 62, was taken off an Air France plane at JFK, ten minutes before the plane was scheduled to takeoff, by New York police detectives. On Saturday, reportedly a chambermaid at the Sofitel New York Hotel went into a suite occupied by Dominque Strauss-Kahn, thinking it was empty, to clean the rooms. Mr. Strauss-Kahn is said to have come out of the bathroom completely naked and made an attempt to sexually assault the 32 year old chambermaid. she fought him off, after he pulled her down on the bed, he is said to have grabbed her again, pulled her into the bathroom and sexually assaulted her again.

The woman managed to escape, fled the suite and told other personnel who called 911. The chambermaid was treated for minor injuries according to reports. When the police arrived, Mr. Strauss-Kahn had left the hotel leaving his cell phone behind. Detectives tracked him down at JFK Airport on an Air France plane about to depart. He was taken to a police holding cell.

Mr. Strauss-Kahn has been the head of the IMF, which is based in Washington, D. C.,  for three and one-half years after being appointed by President Nicolas Sarkozy, some say to take him out of the political scene as a rival. Mr. Strauss-Kahn was thought to be a strong candidate for the Socialist party in France to run in the next election. He contested in the last election, but lost to someone who was then beaten by Mr. Sarkozy. Mr. Strauss-Kahn was the French minister of economics under ths Socialist Prime Minster Lionel Jospin from 1997 to 1999. He has also been a professor of economics at the Paris Institute of Political Studies, according to reports.

Based on a New York Times article, Mr.Strauss-Kahn will be charged with a criminal sexual act, attempted rape and unlawful imprisonment. Sometime in 2008, his reputation was tarnished when he alleged had an affair with a Hungarian economist who was a subordinate of his. He stated reportedly that the situation was a serious error in judgment. It is said that the investigation has turned up forensic evidence in the suite, which may contain DNA. Mr. Strauss-Kahn’s lawyer reportedly stated that his client will not plead guilty to the accusations.

Source: New York Times