Criminal law, International, Politics, Society

IMF President Strauss-Kahn Arrested For Assault of New York Hotel Maid

IMF President Dominique Strauss-Kahn last week was widely viewed as heading to the French Presidency. He is now viewed this week as more likely to head to an American jail. In an extraordinary criminal complaint, Strauss-Kahn is described as a sexual predator who spontaneously assaulted a hotel maid. And we thought former World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz was an embarrassment.

[UPDATE: Strauss-Kahn has been declared a flight risk and denied bond. Given his effort to leave the country, this is not too surprising. However, it is not clear why an electronic bracelet cannot be used in such a case.]
The account that has emerged resembles an international version of “Bonfire of the Vanities.” The recent case of Moshe Katsav comes to mind where an international leader proved to be a rapist.

What is fascinating is that the IMF was well-aware of Strauss-Kahn’s reputation for affairs with subordinates and his nickname “The Great Seducer.” However, it appears he may be more of “The Great Assaulter” given the account of the 32-year-old maid. Strauss-Kahn, 62, had just checked into the luxury Sofitel hotel in a $3,000 a night suite ( pretty pricey digs for a guy who started his political career as a member of the Union of Communist Students and was the leading Socialist candidate for President of France). Strauss-Kahn allegedly came out of the bathroom naked and chased her down a hallway and forced her into a bedroom. He then reportedly forced her to give him oral sex. She said she was able to break away and escape. She ran and told the staff.

What then unfolded is right out of a movie. Strauss-Kahn left the hotel so fast that he left his cellphone in the room. He was sitting in first-class on a flight to France that was about to taxi to the runway when police arrested him. He was then identified by the woman in a line up.

The contemporary account given by the woman and her injuries treated at the hospital makes for a particularly strong basis for a criminal case. Her selection of Strauss-Kahn in a lineup obviously reinforces that case. Finally, the reportedly rapid departure from the hotel will not sit well with the jury. We have not heard his side of this case but his attorney has a steep climb to get him into a better position. If this allegation is ultimately supported, one might expect to hear of additional cases since this sounds like an individual who was unable to control such impulses. Such extreme cases are rarely isolated and tend to be the end of a pattern. There will be an obvious interest by detectives in any modus operandi evidence and whether he had committed such assaults in the past and gotten away with it. That is not to say that Strauss-Kahn has such a history but this is very extreme alleged conduct and will likely be a focus of the police.

It will also be interesting to see if there is a claim of medication or some other influence producing this violent reaction.

It looks like, either way this goes, the Socialists will have to find another candidate. They might want to start with someone who does not need a $3000 a night hotel room or a criminal lawyer on retainer.

Source: Yahoo

127 thoughts on “IMF President Strauss-Kahn Arrested For Assault of New York Hotel Maid”

  1. How fantastic that the writer of this article, and, apparently, all the commenters, can, with such facility, display such profound stupidity, and dissatisfaction with themselves, that, within hours of his arrest, you have all convicted him, not paying any attention to the fact that, just four weeks earlier, publicly stated that it is time to stop the rape of the people by the money-class. Not a one among you is fit to participate in a democratic society, where innocence is presumed until proven otherwise. Whew.From Jonathan Turley, to each commenter, you must have had parents who molested you, or were simply too stupid to raise you with even a modicum of critical analysis. Coprophiles, one and all.

  5. I understand that the NY Post is Rupert Murdoch’s rag so it should not be taken as truth – BUT – the Post is reporting today that The fine gentleman suffered a laceration on his back in the struggle & blood samples were taken from furniture that matches his. Perhaps she will meet the standard required by those bastards who claim she must have wanted it because she didn’t fight back well enough to injure him.

    Oh, they also report that the family has been offered a “7 figure deal” to make the charges go away.

    Again, this is from a lying sack of shits paper so some caution is suggested but, given the French Press has claimed for years he bought off rape victims it would be irresponsible NOT to speculate (that’s for Peggy Nonnan)

  7. davidx2
    1, May 24, 2011 at 11:16 am
    I think the maid is lying and it was consensual sex because she enjoyed having sex with her ex-husband who was HIV positive and Strauss Kahn is a man also. If she really didn’t want to have sex with him she should have scratched his face in anger and hate. I didn’t see any scratches on his face.

    http://www.thespoof.com/news/spoof.cfm?headline=s3i96270#this

    David is one sick puppy to think that this is an appropriate response…If a woman says no she means no….The problem that appears to be in Davids mirror is he has seen way too many old movies where, she says no….he forces himself on her and she says no….then she slaps him…..and then at the end they embrace and you are left to imagine they go to bed consensually……if this is your ideal of the way it is David…they have a room waiting for you…..Do you prefer to be the Husband or wife?

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