Head Of I.M.F. Arrested In New York And Accused Of Sexual Attack

[LaoPo]

Breaking News Alert

The New York Times

Sat, May 14, 2011 -- 7:17 PM ET

-----

Head of I.M.F. Arrested in New York and Accused of Sexual Attack

The leader of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, was arrested on Saturday, minutes before he was to fly to Paris from John F. Kennedy International Airport, the authorities said.

Mr. Strauss-Kahn, a candidate for president of France, was taken off an Air France flight by officers from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and turned over to

Manhattan detectives, according to a Port Authority spokesman.

He was accused of a sex attack on a maid at a Times Square hotel earlier in the day, the authorities said.

Read More:

http://www.nytimes.com?emc=na

LaoPo

[lazygourmet]

Bye-bye presidential hopes...

[LaoPo]

May 14, 2011

I.M.F. Head Is Arrested and Accused of Sexual Attack

By AL BAKER

The head of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, was arrested on Saturday, minutes before he was to fly to Paris from John F. Kennedy International Airport, the authorities said.

He was accused of a sex attack on a maid earlier in the day at a Times Square hotel, the authorities said.

Mr. Strauss-Kahn, a candidate for president of France, was taken off an Air France flight by officers from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and turned over to Manhattan detectives, according to a Port Authority spokesman. He was expected to be taken to the offices of the Manhattan Special Victims Unit at P.S.A. 5 in Manhattan, another official said.

It was about 4:45 p.m. when plainclothes detectives of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey suddenly boarded the plane, Air France Flight 23, as it idled on the tarmac at the airport in Queens, N.Y., and took Mr. Strauss-Khan into custody, said John Kelly, a spokesman for the agency.

Continues:

http://www.nytimes.c...ner=rss&emc=rss

LaoPo

[Ulysses G.]

Thinking with the little head gets one into nothing but trouble.

[Tonto21]

I’m tempted to say something detrimental about the guy, as,I’m sure I’m not the only one, we tend to like witnessing the fall of prominentand powerful, (trousers down, so to speak)

I am going to try and keep an open mind on this, see whathappens. The world is a clinical place, I’m sure this guy has picked up morethan a few enemies along the way to where he is now.

[Lite Beer]

IMF chief Strauss-Kahn arrested in alleged sexual assault

New York - Police arrested International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn on Saturday aboard a flight departing for Paris, on suspicion of an alleged sexual assault against a hotel maid, The New York Times reported

The arrest took place on an Air France flight 10 minutes before takeoff from New York, according to a spokesman for John F Kennedy International Airport.

Authorities said that Strauss-Kahn was accused of sexual assault against a maid earlier Saturday at the Sofitel New York, a hotel on the city's landmark Times Square.

Strauss-Kahn was in the custody of New York Police Department detective slate Saturday in Manhattan.//DPA

-- The Nation 2011-05-15

[smokie36]

Bye-bye presidential hopes...

Shame he's not Italian really.

[churchill]

This brings new meaning to "The IMF head"

Angela Merkel quote "this is quite a blow to the IMF"

Tomorrow's headline ...

"Head made maid head head"

New IMF Logo http://twitpic.com/4xs3fx

[CNXpuuyaibaan]

wow - if true he must have had a career deathwish - still it's a sign of a great democracy that everyone is treated equally regardless of rank or status - like Thailand really hehe

[churchill]

'and stress can lead to dumb decisions and recklessness'

Good excuse for the head of IMF ..

[happyrobert]

Uh, yeah.

Head of the IMF, filthy rich and able to buy what he wants, but he rapes a maid on impulse.

Hmmm. Wonder what he did that pissed off the powers that be?

I myself don't have the kind of money it would take to buy this story.

[cloudhopper]

Anyone who makes it to the top of the banking cartel has to be a sociopath.

Fortunately his chances for another job appear to have been blown as well...

[geriatrickid]

An uncorroborated allegation. The accused is entitled to a fair hearing. The events as reported do not make sense. A maid comes in unannounced because she thinks the room is unoccupied at 1 pm and he immediately rushes from the bathroom in his nakedness and attempts to copulate? Sorry, but the story as reported is a bit over the top. How many old guys do you know of that stand naked in a bathroom waiting for an errant maid to arrive?

This incident allegedly occurred at approx. 1pm. How long did the attack go on for? 10 minutes, 20 minutes? And yet he then managed to get dressed, collect his bag and make his way to JFK, clear security and sit on his plane by 4:30 pm.? I don't think so. Anyone ever try to get to JFK from midtown NYC? Anyone ever had the exerience of TSA screening at JFK? It doesn't go fast and VIPs get treated like the great unwashed lining up with the rest of us.

If he was occupying a VIP room, the maid would have known that the room was occupied. If he had checked out, then the front desk would have sent a message to the maid on the electronic gizmo they carry to advise the room was vacated. Maids do not just enter the VIP suites at the Sofitel. If the room was unoccupied, why was the maid even going into the room?

I have stayed at this specific Sofitel and the lobby area is compact. You have to walk by the front desk when you exit the elevators. He could have been stopped right then and there. The hotel has visible security. If the maid had reported the incident and the police called as has been reported, the police would have arrived in minutes. There's a cop car usually parked up the street, other side of the Algonquin Hotel and the whole area is literally swarming with police uniforms.

I find the story hard to believe. The timeline doesn't make sense. Is this an attempt at political sabotage? A blackmail attempt gone wrong? Or is the wrong guy being accused ? Please be fair when considering the case and wait for the actual facts to be established.

Edited May 15, 2011 by geriatrickid

[SabaiBKK]

Uh, yeah.

Head of the IMF, filthy rich and able to buy what he wants, but he rapes a maid on impulse.

Hmmm. Wonder what he did that pissed off the powers that be?

I myself don't have the kind of money it would take to buy this story.

more likely that the maid knew his reputation as a womanizer and smelled the way to make big $$$ .... Strauss Kahn is far from being dumb to the point of assaulting a maid in a hotel

[Estrada]

IMF chief Strauss-Kahn arrested in alleged sexual assault

New York - Police arrested International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn on Saturday aboard a flight departing for Paris, on suspicion of an alleged sexual assault against a hotel maid, The New York Times reported

The arrest took place on an Air France flight 10 minutes before takeoff from New York, according to a spokesman for John F Kennedy International Airport.

Authorities said that Strauss-Kahn was accused of sexual assault against a maid earlier Saturday at the Sofitel New York, a hotel on the city's landmark Times Square.

Strauss-Kahn was in the custody of New York Police Department detective slate Saturday in Manhattan.//DPA

-- The Nation 2011-05-15

He's been involved in sex scandals before. He was hoping to run for President of France next year.

From The Times

October 20, 2008

Nicolas Sarkozy dismay as Dominique Strauss-Kahn in sex scandal

Charles Bremner in Paris

A “one-night stand” and an angry husband have endangered the career of the French head of the International Monetary Fund and dismayed President Sarkozy as he seeks to put a French stamp on a new world financial order.

The news that Dominique Strauss-Kahn, 59, is being investigated in Washington over an alleged fling with a former subordinate has unsettled Mr Sarkozy, who has been working with him to form a new Bretton Woods pact on financial regulation.

[churchill]

All sounds a bit far fetched but - Perhaps he is used to getting his own way ....

'His attorney, Benjamin Brafman, told Reuters that Strauss-Kahn "will plead not guilty."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43035172

[mrdome]

This incident allegedly occurred at approx. 1pm. How long did the attack go on for? 10 minutes, 20 minutes? And yet he then managed to get dressed, collect his bag and make his way to JFK, clear security and sit on his plane by 4:30 pm.? I don't think so. Anyone ever try to get to JFK from midtown NYC? Anyone ever had the exerience of TSA screening at JFK? It doesn't go fast and VIPs get treated like the great unwashed lining up with the rest of us.

Oh, I very much do think so. It takes 30 mins in a best case and close to two hours in a worst case scenario. First class passengers have no lines and he may have even been checked in already - heck, I am usually on the day of departure while still at home.

Not saying he did do it or he didn't but if the defense can't prove it wasn't him, it looks pretty bad for him. Fascinating, how someone who seemingly has it all can risk it all too.

If he was occupying a VIP room, the maid would have known that the room was occupied. If he had checked out, then the front desk would have sent a message to the maid on the electronic gizmo they carry to advise the room was vacated. Maids do not just enter the VIP suites at the Sofitel. If the room was unoccupied, why was the maid even going into the room?

Sorry, but you are making assumptions.

[Shurup]

Not saying he did do it or he didn't but if the defense can't prove it wasn't him, it looks pretty bad for him.

Doesn't it have to be proved that it was him or if it even happened?

It would be too easy for any girl to call the police and claim someone (they didn't like) has raped them. It's not a Thailand and it would have to be proved as well.

[animatic]

There have been reports, in french sites,

that his arrest was revealed to the NY Post before the incident took place...

And that a worker for the opposing french political party tweeted

about the arrest ALSO before it happened...

And this same operative knew someone working in the hotel...

Any bets the maid speaks fluent french?

Political sabotage or thinking with the little head not the big one?

Well as noted above he has plenty of money $3,000 a night

and could have afforded 'company' easily.

$500 gets you the high priced beauty, far beyond the typical maid...

And as noted above,

Why would the maid have suddenly entered an occupied suite at that level,

that she thought to be empty, and not turned an exited immediately on finding it occupied by someone, nude or not.

And now could the police be there as fast as it is said it happened.

They guy was a major potential Socialist Candidate for French presidency,

just having an affair is not enough to disqualify him in France...

That they don't really care about that, but criminal sexual attack they would,

and with his past of an affair with an underling at IMF it was the perfect weapon to slay his career with.

Something is more than a little fishy

Edited May 15, 2011 by animatic

[siampolee]

One is inclined to look at and see some interesting parallels to the case of Julian Assange..Lots of hearsay and no real hard evidence concerning the fact s of either case

Perchance yet another manipulation or distortion of facts by vested interests ?

Perhaps a case of , ''the enemy of my enemy is my friend.""

[cloudhopper]

Anyway not to worry - he has diplomatic immunity.

[JemJem]

Shucks ! Does this mean the world might have to see another term of Presidency of Sarkozy, the nationalist idiot ?!

Jem

[LaoPo]

Anyway not to worry - he has diplomatic immunity.

I don't think so; although he is a French politician next to his job as head of the IMF he's not a member of the French Government. But if he has diplomatic immunity he will be released soon.

Anyway, I find the story also hard to believe in the context the media report about it.

According to the French newspaper Le Monde he had to attend a very important meeting with German Chancellor Mrs. Angela Merkel on Sunday (today) next to another important meeting in Bruxelles with all the EU Finance Ministers on Monday and another important speech on Wednesday during the 12th Economic Forum of the EU also in Bruxelles.

The following day on Thursday May 19th he was scheduled to have another speech.

An extremely busy man (also considering the time difference of 6 hours between NY and mainland Europe) and I can hardly believe that a 62 year old man of his stature who has everything to lose, coming out of the bathroom naked, surprisingly sees a maid in his suite/room and immediately attacks this 32 yr old woman, dragging her back into the bathroom, telling her to give him a BJ..shortly before he has to hurry to the airport....

I think there's more to this story rather than the maid's version....

It's also a bit strange Mr. Strauss-Kahn was transported to a Police Station in Harlem/NYC which is not belonging to the jurisdiction department where the Sofitel is (45 West 44th Street). Harlem is a long way from the Sofitel...maybe the maid was from Harlem...?

Animatic:

Can you pls tell us which French sources/links/media claim that there were reports about this sexual attack BEFORE it happened?

Thanks in advance.

LaoPo

[churchill]

I agree hard to believe -BUT The police would not arrest anyone and in particular the Head of the IMF on the back of an accusation from a chambermaid unless they seriously considered there was some truth in the allegation /

Edited May 15, 2011 by churchill

[cloudhopper]

Anyway not to worry - he has diplomatic immunity.

I don't think so; although he is a French politician next to his job as head of the IMF he's not a member of the French Government. But if he has diplomatic immunity he will be released soon.

Well we should know soon enough. From the IMF website- apparently he's even covered while maw-shtupping after the meeting as I read it...

SECTION 14

In order to secure for the representatives of members of the specialized agencies at meetings convened by them complete freedom of speech and complete independence in the discharge of their duties, the immunity from legal process in respect of words spoken or written and all acts done by them in discharging their duties shall continue to be accorded, notwithstanding that the persons concerned are no longer engaged in the discharge of such duties.

[CNXpuuyaibaan]

There have been reports, in french sites,

that his arrest was revealed to the NY Post before the incident took place...

And that a worker for the opposing french political party tweeted

about the arrest ALSO before it happened...

And this same operative knew someone working in the hotel...

Any bets the maid speaks fluent french?

Political sabotage or thinking with the little head not the big one?

Well as noted above he has plenty of money $3,000 a night

and could have afforded 'company' easily.

$500 gets you the high priced beauty, far beyond the typical maid...

And as noted above,

Why would the maid have suddenly entered an occupied suite at that level,

that she thought to be empty, and not turned an exited immediately on finding it occupied by someone, nude or not.

And now could the police be there as fast as it is said it happened.

They guy was a major potential Socialist Candidate for French presidency,

just having an affair is not enough to disqualify him in France...

That they don't really care about that, but criminal sexual attack they would,

and with his past of an affair with an underling at IMF it was the perfect weapon to slay his career with.

Something is more than a little fishy

so why run? leaving mobile phone in the room?

[midas]

Anyway not to worry - he has diplomatic immunity.

I don't think so; although he is a French politician next to his job as head of the IMF he's not a member of the French Government. But if he has diplomatic immunity he will be released soon.

Well we should know soon enough. From the IMF website- apparently he's even covered while maw-shtupping after the meeting as I read it...

SECTION 14

In order to secure for the representatives of members of the specialized agencies at meetings convened by them complete freedom of speech and complete independence in the discharge of their duties, the immunity from legal process in respect of words spoken or written and all acts done by them in discharging their duties shall continue to be accorded, notwithstanding that the persons concerned are no longer engaged in the discharge of such duties.

There is also a stack of evidence from the past that French media covered up about DSK

and there also seems to be a quite a number of willing witnesses in France who claim they were attacked

if the NYDA goes ahead with this ( i.e. if the DA is allowed to use such evidence ).

But if he gets away with this again on the grounds of " immunity " it will be a little

bizzare that a sitting US President was put through the embarassment of an impeachement process

for this kind of thing and yet this DSK is set free to do it again

[Ulysses G.]

But if he gets away with this again on the grounds of " immunity " it will be a little

bizzare that a sitting US President was put through the embarassment of an impeachement process

for this kind of thing and yet this DSK is set free to do it again

In Monica L's case she was more than a willing participant. Attempted rape is a real crime.

[mrdome]

If he is innocent it should be fairly easy to prove.

How did he check out and when and who did he speak to?

Any records of phone calls or room service orders?

What do the surveillance cameras show in regards to him coming and going (OK, they could be manipulated to a degree)?

How did he get to the airport and at what time (I'm assuming he didn't take public transportation)?

If it wasn't him in the room, how did that person get in? What about the DNA evidence?

Perform background check on the maid, etc...

[fantuzi]

@geriatrickid

people with very strong sex drives(sex maniacs or suffering from satyriosis) - lose their minds on opportunity of sex encounter,their reason is switched off.

their action is often welcomed by object of their desire,because it works on feedback and both sides are happy(eventually).It makes him confident to try again another time.

I know such people,few of them.

I had sort of experience with friend who is gay,I picked him up at the airport,together we came to his hotel,where he was supposed to check-in,leave his luggage and

we had to leave fast-we had very important appointment.But he had got stuck in his room,came down after 15-20 mins.

what has happened?we are late! - his answer:you did not see that bell-boy,who carried my suitcase?so cute! - well I saw him,10mins ago!what about him? - Well,I screwed him,but I had to take shower after that.

my friend never had any "problems",but he is not very important,has no plans to run for presidency..

For sure you know about adventures of certain failed politician in Malaysia,who is charged with sodomy;thanks to WikiLeaks we know,that...its all true,another important guy,who can not contain his dick.

So,it happens