IMF head submits to DNA test in sex attack probe
He was alone when he checked into the Sofitel hotel near from Times Square, on Friday afternoon, police said. It wasn't clear why he was in New York. The IMF is based in Washington, and he had been due in Germany on Sunday to meet with Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The maid was taken by police to a hospital and was treated for minor injuries. Stacy Royal, a spokeswoman for Sofitel, said the hotel's staff was cooperating in the investigation and that the maid "has been a satisfactory employee of the hotel for the past three years."
His wife, Anne Sinclair, defended him in a statement to French news agency AFP.
"I do not believe for one second the accusations brought against my husband. I have no doubt his innocence will be established," said Sinclair, a New York-born journalist who hosted a popular weekly TV news broadcast in France in the 1980s and '90s.
The arrest could throw the long-divided Socialists back into disarray about who they could present as Sarkozy's opponent. Even some of his adversaries were stunned.
"It's totally hallucinating. If it is true, this would be a historic moment, but in the negative sense, for French political life," said Dominique Paille, a political rival to Strauss-Kahn on the center right, on BFM television. Still, he urged, "I hope that everyone respects the presumption of innocence. I cannot manage to believe this affair."
Candidates need to announce their intentions this summer to run in fall primary elections.
"If he's cleared, he could return — but if he is let off only after four or five months, he won't be able to run" because the campaign will be too far along, said Jerome Fourquet of the IFOP polling agency.
"I think his political career is over," Philippe Martinat, who wrote a book called "DSK-Sarkozy: The Duel," told The Associated Press. "Behind him he has other affairs ... I don't see very well how he can pick himself back up."
"It's sure that a future president already mired in judicial problems is not well seen by the French," said Patricia Bous, a lab researcher in Paris' Left Bank on Monday.
"It's obvious that this is someone a lot of people were counting on, and because of this all of the cards are being reshuffled. So I don't know what's going to happen, but for me there is a presumption of innocence and we await the proof so we'll see," said university employee Hubert Javaux, also in the Left Bank.
French newspapers all put Strauss-Kahn on their front pages Monday morning, with grim headlines and photos. "DSK Out" read the banner headline on the left-leaning Liberation. "The Doors of the Elysee Are Closing for DSK" read that in Le Soir.
The New York allegations come amid French media reports about Strauss-Kahn's lifestyle, including luxury cars and suits, that some have dubbed a smear campaign. Some French raised suspicions about the sexual assault case as well.
"Perhaps this affair will unravel very quickly, if we learn that there is in the end no serious charge and that what was said by this woman was not true, and we all wish for this," former Socialist Party boss Francois Hollande said on Canal-Plus television. "To commit an act of such seriousness, this does not resemble the man I know."
Sarkozy, who did not comment publicly Sunday, had championed Strauss-Kahn to run the IMF. Political strategists saw it as a way for Sarkozy to get a potential challenger far from the French limelight.
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once again more concern about this new world order clown,then the victim.thats whats really sad
l'Am?rique, vit au rythme des scandales sexuels, ils font partie de son quotidien
cela n'excuse pas un tel comportement, ces crimes sont impardonnables, si la culpabilit? est prouv?e,
concernant Dominique Strauss-Kahn, cela semble un peu ?trange que cet incident arrive ? ce moment pr?cis,
Dominique n'est pas stupide au point de vouloir salir sa r?putation au niveau mondial, voire ruiner une carri?re politique qui promet,
cela n'excuse pas ce comportement, si la culpabilit? de DSK, est prouv?e, il doit assumer
personne n'est au dessus de la loi m?me pas DSK
............................
first of all, the police treated Dominique Strauss-Kahn, in a shameful manner,
also, America, the rhythm of sex scandals, they are part of everyday
it does not excuse such behavior, these crimes are unforgivable, if guilt is proved,
about Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who seems a bit strange that this incident occurs at this precise moment,
DSK is not dumb to want to sully his reputation in the world, or even ruin a political career that promises
it does not excuse this behavior, if the culpability of DSK is proven, it must assume
no one is above the law even DSK
"au revoir"
http://adrianzupp.blogspot.com/
... then clearly the country of France can pay off this maid for a much lesser crime, and for a REAL diplomat?
You have to be kidding right?
Psychotic homocidial CIA contractor freak walks after murdering two people in cold blood?
French IMF Chief with out of control libido and REAL DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY goes through the cleaners for apparently fondling and molesting a maid?
Not that both of these acts don't deserve adequate due process and prosecution.
But we have a U.S. contractor -- that I helped pay BLOOD MONEY to release back to the streets of Virginia? Who the U.S. government attempted FIRST to claim diplomatic immunity?
I think I'm going to be sick. All over again.