Strauss-Kahn trial: I didn't know women were prostitutes

[Lite Beer]

Strauss-Kahn trial: I didn't know women were prostitutes
PHILIPPE SOTTO, Associated Press
GREG KELLER, Associated Press

LILLE, France (AP) — Disgraced former International Monetary Fund boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn told a French court Tuesday that he was unaware that women who participated in orgies at luxury hotels in Paris and Washington D.C. were prostitutes.

The 65-year-old and 13 co-defendants are on trial in this northern French city, accused of aggravated pimping in connection with a sex ring centered on the Hotel Carlton in Lille.

In his first testimony since the trial began Feb. 2, Strauss-Kahn reaffirmed his long-standing defense that he did not know of the "prostitutional character" of the women who took part in his orgies.

Strauss-Kahn's arrival at the courthouse was disrupted by three topless protesters from the provocative group Femen, who were detained by police.

Strauss-Kahn's chances of becoming French president were ruined over an unrelated sex scandal in New York.

The economist, known widely as DSK, faces up to 10 years in prison and a 1.5 million-euro ($1.7 million) fine if convicted.

Strauss-Kahn is on trial with 13 other defendants accused of operating a prostitution ring out of luxury hotels in Paris, Washington D.C., Lille and Brussels.

The trial began Feb. 2. The court has so far heard testimony from some of Strauss-Kahn's fellow defendants, who include a Belgian brothel owner, local businessmen, a police officer and hotel staff accused of organizing sex parties for Strauss-Kahn's benefit.

Investigators have compiled hundreds of pages of testimony from prostitutes describing the orgies.

It's not illegal to pay for sex in France, but it's against the law to solicit or to run a prostitution business.

Prostitutes questioned in the case said that between 2009 and 2011 — when the IMF chief was dealing with a global financial crisis — Strauss-Kahn was organizing orgies at luxury hotels in Paris, at a restaurant in the French capital and also in Washington.

Hundreds of reporters are covering the trial.

___

Keller reported from Paris.

-- (c) Associated Press 2015-02-10

[watcharacters]

His chances wouldn't be ruined if I were a Frenchman and voting in France.

I harbor no animosity against prostitutes or johns ever.

I do not however support this fellow as I believe he may very well be guilty of rape.

He needs to face the Piper.

[rasmus5150]

I can absolutely understand why this guy is confused. Most girls when they turn 19 dream about having orgies with balding, chubby liver-spotted 65 year old men (NOT).

[manarak]

French laws on prostitution are sick.

[bendejo]

Didn't know they were prostitutes.

I have to remember that line if I'm ever in Nana Plaza during a police raid.

Berlusconi was busted for paying a woman for sex -- that's a crime? Imagine the fuss she would have made if he didn't pay!

[Morch]

Didn't know they were prostitutes.

"She said I was a hansum man!"

[ABCer]

Never understood what self righteous authorities in any country have against honest prostitution?

They sell their bodies not somebody else's.

They usually spell out the price unlike many unscrupulous sellers including banks.

They are much cheaper than 'honest wives' in the long run.

Nowadays they are much 'safer' than any 'socialites' sleeping around.

I guess the Moralizers of the World are more and better organised than the professional love workers?

Or the authorities cannot figure the way to collect Taxes from a strictly cash business?

[DeaconJohn]

Never understood what self righteous authorities in any country have against honest prostitution?

They sell their bodies not somebody else's.

They usually spell out the price unlike many unscrupulous sellers including banks.

They are much cheaper than 'honest wives' in the long run.

Nowadays they are much 'safer' than any 'socialites' sleeping around.

I guess the Moralizers of the World are more and better organised than the professional love workers?

Or the authorities cannot figure the way to collect Taxes from a strictly cash business?

Your points can't be argued with.

That is an ideal view of prostitution.

The reality is that it is often more exploitative and sleazy than that.

[arunsakda]

About the unrelated sex scandal In NYC from the beginning I knew it was a setup. It just makes no sense for such a character to assault a sweaty old chambermaid, when all he has to do is pick up the phone and a gorgeous model type would be sent to his suite like room service. This bloated DSK suffers probably from sex addictions, such as satyriasis. Thus because of his compulsions he could not resist the honey pot. Unfortunate for these types the desires are insatiable, they get no pleasure from sex at all no matter how much they indulge.

[bendejo]

Having been exposed to the world of corporate executives, I consider them to be the truly disgusting, shameless prostitutes with neither morals nor pride, who will do anything to promote themselves and their careers.

As far as sex goes, whether for $$ or not, well, if it's all between consenting adults, why should anyone else care?

[kotsak]

"Strauss-Kahn trial: I didn't know women were prostitutes"

Are we generalizing here?

[arunsakda]

That is about as convincing as Captain Schettino's lawyers arguing he is some kind of scapegoat who "fell into a lifeboat".

[Johpa]

This case has made for some great quotes:

"I dare you to distinguish between a prostitute and a naked socialite."--Strauss-Kahn lawyer Henri Leclerc, explaining the difficulty Strauss-Kahn had in identifying his sex partners as prostitutes.

[Credo]

About the unrelated sex scandal In NYC from the beginning I knew it was a setup. It just makes no sense for such a character to assault a sweaty old chambermaid, when all he has to do is pick up the phone and a gorgeous model type would be sent to his suite like room service. This bloated DSK suffers probably from sex addictions, such as satyriasis. Thus because of his compulsions he could not resist the honey pot. Unfortunate for these types the desires are insatiable, they get no pleasure from sex at all no matter how much they indulge.

The chambermaid was a crime of convenience, not of passion. People like him probably enjoy dominating and controlling others as much as sex.

[arunsakda]

I think DSK intended here to do some pay for play with a willing partner. No forced anything. I don't think it is impossible that a hotel maid would not turn tricks on the side. A chambermaid with a faked immigration application,"evidence" on her blouse used to extort. A maid who received huge payments from known crims for unrelated circumstances. She also changed her story with authorities and was recorded in a phone conversation in the Fula language with an immigration detainee in custody bragging. The woman is a scammer, she still got paid.

[manarak]

That is about as convincing as Captain Schettino's lawyers arguing he is some kind of scapegoat who "fell into a lifeboat".

The difference is that Schettino behaved wrong.

I can't blame DSK for lying if that strategy works - any working strategy is good against stupid and oppressive law such as the French law on prostitution.

[Bwanatickey]

I am a little confused as to the outcome of this trail, well maybe a French court has a different way of operating to the English system, this is true, but the French Prosecutor ended the trail.

What sort of prosecuter is that.

He saw no Pimp, but a victim.

Ooh la la

[manarak]

I am a little confused as to the outcome of this trail, well maybe a French court has a different way of operating to the English system, this is true, but the French Prosecutor ended the trail.

What sort of prosecuter is that.

He saw no Pimp, but a victim.

Ooh la la

I think the prosecution realized 2 things:

1- they really had no proof of anything

2- they are afraid of becoming everyone's laughing stock

The investigating magistrate has already asked to drop the charges against DSK during the investigation.

I think it is really wrong that this story went so far with so much disclosed private information about sexual practices that were not illegal.

The prostitutes, which had hoped to cash in by joining in on civil cases were therefore also advised to withdraw from the case because if DSK was found not guilty, it would seem as if they had been lying.

[Langsuan Man]

French laws on prostitution are sick.

Prostitution is legal in France, pimping is not

How is that sick ?

[A1Str8]

He didn't know they were prostitutes. Does he know that he is?

[laolover88]

I don't understand these guys: DSK or Signor Bunga: Why did they not just buy a Chinese hotel in Hainan or BKK and get on with it?

[ScarpoFongness4U]

This is an illuminatti pay back because he was looking to run France and they couldn't control him

[manarak]

French laws on prostitution are sick.

Prostitution is legal in France, pimping is not

How is that sick ?

If it was so simple !

France packs anything into "pimping" and into "human trafficking".

For example, hotels are not allowed to rent rooms to prostitutes, bars are not allowed to let prostitutes in, websites are not allowed to publish escort ads, etc...

If one asks an escort from another country to visit him in France, it counts as human trafficking. Also, knowingly transporting a prostitute from one country to another is human trafficking.

Paying prostitutes to attend a private party is procuring and pimping.

Making a website for a prostitute counts as pimping.

A client asking a woman 'how much' or asking if she'd like to have some fun counts as "solicitation of a prostitute"...

How is the above not sick?

[Bwanatickey]

He is a sicko , a nutter who upon leaving New York to return to France, attempted to rape a BLack cleaner , while closing his suitcases, you have to be completely nuts if you want to nail that sort of cleaner.

Now his nuts are in a vice.

[SiSePuede419]

Sounds like this guy would fit right in here in Thailand...

[SiSePuede419]

"asking (a French woman) if she'd like to have some fun counts as "solicitation of a prostitute"

Also marks you as a tourist, because French women only like to drink, smoke cigarettes and sneer at other nationalities for not eating French food and dressing as fashionable as they do...

[ScarpoFongness4U]

thats strange,

french women come to miami beach and let their inner whore out in the clubs, nightly