Dominque Strauus-Kahn is a prominent French politician and leader of that nation’s significant Socialist party. That clout was not enough to prevent him from being removed by Port Authority of New York and New Jersey officers from the Air France plane he was aboard at New York’s Kennedy International Airport.
After being transferred to the precinct of the New York City Police Department in the area of mid-town Manhattan where the hotel is located, the managing director of the IMF was interrogated by detectives in the Special Victims Unit “in connection with the sexual assault of a hotel chambermaid.”
Sunday's New York Post reported that the court date for Strauss-Kahn was put off until today "while authorities examine him at a hospital for evidence.
According to published reports, a housekeeper entered the room at the Sofitel hotel, unaware that Strauss-Kahn was inside. Then, reportedly, the IMF director exited the shower naked, saw the chambermaid, and attacked her, forcing her to perform sexual acts on him.
The victim escaped her attacker and was subsequently treated at a Manhattan hospital.
Apparently, Strauss-Kahn is familiar with controversy. According to a piece published in the New York Post:
Strauss-Kahn, a leader of France’s Socialist Party, is a longtime rival to Sarkozy, who was said in a news report today to have kicked off a smear campaign that focused on his lavish lifestyle. It included Strauss-Kahn’s purchase of suits from the same tailor who clothes President Obama.
But Strauss-Kahn seems able to find trouble on his own. In 2008, he publicly admitted to "an error of judgment" for having an affair with an IMF subordinate.
Undaunted by these myriad missteps, Strauss-Khan, a former French Finance Minister, was planning to soon announce his candidacy for the presidency of France. He has served for over three and a half years at the IMF.
The ambitious politician hasn’t restricted his dalliances to his homeland. While representing the IMF at Davos, he had an affair with a Hungarian economist working with him at the bank. Upon learning of the liaison, the fund did not abandon its leader. A statement chastised Strauss-Kahn for his “poor judgment.”
As expected, after the event was made public, “Mr. Strauss-Kahn issued an apology to employees at the bank and his wife, Anne Sinclair, an American-born French journalist.”
Not surprisingly, the IMF has not issued a statement regarding this latest imbroglio. However, given the seriousness of the New York event, it would be surprising if the organization once again stands behind its man. As for Strauss-Kahn, this time it seems that a simple apology will not be enough to make the case go away.
Photo of Dominque Strauus-Kahn: AP Images
