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
Kay,
Are you trying to tell us this has happened to you or that you are currently doing this?
Which is still fine with me…..If you post your number then I will be offended and call someone but not you…
Sexual addiction is a possibility. So is being a sexual predator borne out of stress or age or perhaps something else. All of these are valid possibilities or maybe a combination. I lay his behavior at the feet of arrogance and the expectation of privelege associated with power and position. We’ve all seen it expressed in dozens of ways at airports, hotels, the tables expected at restaurants, etc. It’s ego-gone-wild and I submit it infects most people with money and power. What’s the whole point of the Real Housewives…” series but to highlight the luxurious excesses of wealth and to view how these folks expect no less than whatever it is they wish. I know a very wealthy fellow who’s favorite expression was: All I want is to have everything I want the way I want it—and to have it now.
When someone spends a lot of money on prostitutes, calls them all the time, takes risks to use prostitutes, what does it mean about them?
Kay,
Are you trying to tell us something….That is ok with me….just make sure you are in a place where this is legally acceptable….morally…..your choice….
SWM
So what do you think of addiction to prostitutes?
Agreed SWM….
Well said, Swarthmore mom.
Strauss-Kahn is a sexual predator as the professor says. They tend to act out under stress much as an addict uses drugs under stress. They often get release from the sex act much as a heroin addict gets his fix from shooting up. This is not to excuse his behaviors. He is a criminal. There are sexual predators in all walks of life- poor, rich, liberal,socialist, whatever. This is probably not the first african maid he did this too.
People in his position are surrounded by yes men. But they don’t all act out only some of them do. What is the difference between the powerful people who act out and those who stay within the line?
Our American presidents, senators etc. and corporate execs are all stressed out too and they all have access to booze and women.
There are new allegations surfacing that Strauss-Kahn attacked the goddaughter of his second wife:
Dominique Strauss-Kahn faces further claim of sexual assault
And Strauss-Kahn showing real-world socialist credentials here.
So, if you have a stressful job/life & stop on your way home for a bump or two a little light rape just has to be accepted? Is that what you are trying to say?
What’s so stressful about a $3000/night hotel, first class tickets on Air France, and daily opportunities to socialize with other world elites?
puzzling,
I am to going to try and make excuses for this mans behavior….However, some folks…after spending time in stressful positions…do things that they normally would not…if you add alcohol or other mind altering substances to the mix…then you are asking for all hell to break loose….as in this case…
This says a lot about the mindset of people drawn to the power to rule over others.
BTW – this clown heads ESAP, Economic Structural Adjustment Program – which forced draconian cuts and onerous payment plans on impoverished nations.
Many of his societal victims say ESAP stands for Extra Suffering for African People.
He truly is one of the masters of the universe.
Reports are he has a history of this sort of behavior, often met with a wink-n-nod from local authorities. If that is true I hope his earlier victims find the courage to speak up nowm
OS,
One’s entitlement is relative……
AY, I have an idea there are some ladies out there somewhere who wish something else were cut.
I read an account last night of another alleged sexual assault incident by Strauss-Kahn on a female reporter. Since zebras don’t change their stripes, one has to wonder what else may surface now that he has been arrested.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2011/05/15/2011-05-15_imf_chief_dominique_strausskahn_accused_of_sexually_assaulting_hotel_maid_taken_.html
I hope this is an example of the entitlement programs that need to cut….
One explanation is early dementia, which causes a reduction in risk adverseness. Reportedly that is sporadic. Strauss-Kahn was probably under a lot of performance stress related to the IMF conference and probably went back to his room and had a few stiff drinks.