IMF Head Arrested in New York (Accused of Sexual Attack)

[Hissyspit]

Source: Reuters

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FLASH: New York Times says head of IMF, Strauss-Kahn, arrested in New York, accused of sexual attack
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IMF head arrested in New York

NEW YORK | Sat May 14, 2011 7:37pm EDT

(Reuters) - The head of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, was arrested in New York on Saturday and accused of a sexual attack on a hotel maid, The New York Times reported.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/14/us-strausskahn-arrest-idUSTRE74D29F20110514

---

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2011/05/14/2011-05-14_top_french_politician_dominique_strausskahn_dragged_of_flight_at_jfk_accused_of_.html

Top French politician Dominique Strauss-Kahn dragged off flight at JFK, accused of sodomizing maid

BY MICHAEL DALY, ALISON GENDAR, JOE KEMP AND RICH SCHAPIRO
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS

Saturday, May 14th 2011, 7:15 PM

IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn is in hot water with American authorities.

A top French politician nicknamed "the great seducer" was dragged off a flight at Kennedy Airport Saturday after he was accused of sodomizing a Manhattan hotel maid, sources said.

Port Authority cops grabbed Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the head of the International Monetary Fund and a presidential hopeful in France, moments before his Air France plane took off about 4:45 p.m.

Strauss-Kahn, 62, allegedly crept up behind a maid after she entered his room and forced her to perform oral sex on him, sources said.

The woman broke free and ran out of the room. Strauss-Khan quickly headed for the airport, sources said.

[alcibiades_mystery]

1. Replaying in miniature what his organization does on the macro-scale

Raping a hotel maid.

Yeah, that's beyond metaphor.

[Yon_Yonson]

12. A French family values guy?

... or does family values only apply to America's politician?

[bjobotts]

31. In America he thought wealthy were above the law. Just couldn't run fast enough huh

[Divernan]

49. American Express - don't leave the crime scene without it!

Cost of hotel room: $3,000 per night
Cost of last minute, 1st class, 1 way ticket from JFK to CDG/Paris: $11,455
Expression on faces of other first class passengers as he's hauled off the plane - priceless!

American Express - don't flee the crime scene without it!

[closeupready]

33. Oh, you so got that right. K&R

nt

[JNelson6563]

50. That was my very first thought!

He gets away with rape on a global scale, what's a hotel maid here and there? Glad the bastard got caught.

Julie

[apnu]

70. Its not metaphor, its irony.

And a giant, glaring like the sun, irony to boot.

[Zynx]

2. Apparently raping the developing world was not enough.

[truedelphi]

32. + 1 and an extra ten points for being

Succinct!

[Mark D.]

37. Good Song About It

As always, Bruce tells it like it is. Call It A Democracy (IMF) - Bruce Cockburn

http://new.music.yahoo.com/Bruce-Cockburn/videos/view/Call-It-Democracy--2154464

[mod mom]

47. IMF dirty MF ...perfect fit

[Blue_Tires]

39. well played... n/t

[Strelnikov_]

40. Bam!!

[primavera]

69. +1 n/t

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. Just a few hours earlier, the problem for his presidential run was that his suits are too expensive

The rumours of dangerous liaisons and sexual conquests have had little effect on his chances of occupying the highest office in the land. But the presidential ambitions of Dominique Strauss-Kahn, chief of the International Monetary Fund and the man French Socialists hope will be the next occupant of the Elysée Palace, may yet be dented by a new revelation: he likes, allegedly, to wear expensive suits.

Even before he has officially thrown his hat into the election ring – as he is expected to do within weeks – Strauss-Kahn is fighting off a very French furore over assertions his tastes are too luxurious to lay claim to the left.

Now Strauss-Kahn is suing a French newspaper that claimed staples of his lifestyle included luxury homes and sought-after works of art.

In its report, France Soir also said he had worn several handmade suits ordered from US President Barack Obama's tailor in Washington DC, a claim hotly denied. The tailor, a 75-year-old Frenchman from Marseille, sells suits for between £4,300 and £21,000. Last night, calls to Strauss-Kahn's lawyer went unanswered.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/15/france-dominique-strauss-kahn-lifestyle

[socialist_n_TN]

7. And this guy was trying to gain the French Socialist

Party nomination? Geez, talk about giving socailists a bad name. Between $30k suits, luxury homes, expensive art (the artist probably starved to death), and now RAPE? That gives a WHOLE new level of meaning to SINO.

[snagglepuss]

11. From what I've read he is the frontrunner which is bizarre to say the least.

I wonder how this will play with French socialists?

[defendandprotect]

14. Otoh, what we can expect from the right wing .... thugs, thieves -- imo!!

[socialist_n_TN]

15. Well, Marxists are socialists, but not all socialists

are Marxist. Truly, the Socialist Parties that are NOT Marxist aren't worth much. They're like Dems on steroids. Mild steroids at that. They're still part of the bourgeoisie and they have a stake in PRESERVING the existing capitalist governmental structure. The dictatorship of the bourgeoisie. They just use a working class face to do it. They're good for the exploiters because they allow the proles to blow off steam without really changing anything.

I would say though that since he was already having problems with his wealthy lifestyle, this will probably do him in. They do, after all, have to PRETEND to be a working class party. Europe seems to be much more relaxed than the States about sex, but rape isn't about sex. Between all of it together, I think he's probably toast politically.

[Qutzupalotl]

59. Don't you mean French toast?

[socialist_n_TN]

LOL! Yep, I guess I DO mean "French toast"

:rofl: I LOVE clever and quick people. Thanks.

[AzNick]

27. Don't forget the Porsche - Very "gauche caviar" n/t

[Me.]

10. Sorry But The Prez's Suits Don't Look Good Enough To Cost That Much

[Rozlee]

21. He'd look good wearing a barrel.

}(

[marmar]

4. The old meglamaniac perv probably isn't used to hearing the word "No".

This is tragically metaphorical for the IMF.

[Garbo 2004]

5. Link to NYT article cited in Reuters report:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/15/nyregion/imf-head-is-arrested-and-accused-of-sexual-attack.html?hp

[makhno]

6. NYPD FTW

That sure ruins the PS plans of shoving the entitled bastard's candidacy down the throats of party members. I'm eager to see the talking points rags like Libération come up with overnight. Defend DSK? Ditch him like a bad date?

Exciting stuff that will speed up the long overdue collapse of the worst kind of bourgeois party.

[Lucky Luciano]

8. Wow...there goes his credibility. Possible smear like Assange? nt

[La Lioness Priyanka]

25. isnt IMF head, the very definition of UN-Assange? nt

[Lucky Luciano]

53. Not saying they have the same ideals. Just wondering if it was an intentional smear.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

60. why would the powers that be, want to smear one of their own?

[suffragette]

66. Speaking only to the IMF aspect, it appears he had been trying to shift IMF

policy significantly away from the Wolfowitz and rightwing direction.

Strauss-Kahn puts a new face on IMF
Joseph Stiglitz
May 11, 2011


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/business/strausskahn-puts-a-new-face-on-imf-20110510-1eh4n.html#ixzz1MRnQ0Tyl

The annual northern spring meeting of the International Monetary Fund was notable in marking the fund's effort to distance itself from its long-standing tenets on capital controls and labour-market flexibility. It appears that a new IMF has gradually, and cautiously, emerged under the leadership of Dominique Strauss-Kahn.

~~~

For progressives, these abysmal facts are part of the standard litany of frustration and justified outrage. What is new is that the IMF has joined the chorus. As Strauss-Kahn concluded in a recent speech: "Ultimately, employment and equity are building blocks of economic stability and prosperity, of political stability and peace. This goes to the heart of the IMF's mandate. It must be placed at the heart of the policy agenda."

Strauss-Kahn is proving a sagacious leader. We can only hope that governments and financial markets heed his words.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dominique-strausskahn/the-priority-of-growth-an_b_637110.html

Here's more about DSK's shift in leading the IMF. Pushing for finance regulation, job creation, social protection, reducing inequality, etc.

Synopsis here of ITUC meeting:
http://www.ituc-csi.org/imf-s-strauss-kahn-backs-ituc.html

At the debate, Strauss-Kahn noted the record levels of unemployment and inequality and stated: “Just as we managed to tame inflation in the 1980s, this decade should be the one that takes full employment seriously once again.” To combat growing inequality, Strauss-Kahn emphasized the importance of “strong social safety nets combined with progressive taxation, … investment in health and education, and collective bargaining rights … especially in an environment of stagnating real wages.” He spoke of the joint work that the IMF has undertaken with the ILO in the past year and said that “employment and equity are the building blocks of stability and prosperity,” which go “to the heart of the IMF’s mandate.”

Full speech here:
http://www.imf.org/external/np/speeches/2011/041311.htm


edit to correct link

[femrap]

9. These Money

Boyz need to be placed on leashes and led about by women who are disgusted with patriarchy.

I wonder how many times this waste of human flesh has don this before.

Hope he has fun in jail tonight.

[Bragi]

57. I'll await facts, trials, etc. before judging

I'm old fashioned that way.

[defendandprotect]

13. Let's see where this goes vs ....

the charges against Julian Assange!!

[starroute]

16. Not his first sex scandal

But this one may be less easy for the French to dismiss as a case of American puritanism.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4972855.ece

October 20, 2008

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. . . .

The case began in January when Mario Blejer, a senior Argentine economist, alleged that Piroska Nagy, his wife, had been seduced by her boss at the Davos international forum. His complaints led to an investigation by a law firm in Washington in August. Ms Nagy, who worked in the Africa department of the IMF, took redundancy and now works in London at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

Mr Strauss-Kahn denied that he had abused his position as managing director, either by giving Ms Nagy preferential conditions for leaving the IMF or helping her to get the job in London. The EBRD said that there was nothing irregular about the recruitment of Ms Nagy.

Paris had been hoping that no news would break until Mr Strauss-Kahn had been cleared later this month. Allies of Mr Strauss-Kahn and some commentators dismissed the affair as another episode of hysteria by puritanical US institutions.

[Ghost Dog]

42. There's nothing scandalous about entirely mutually consensual adult sexual encounters

in most civilised parts of this world, my friend.


... But, I guess I can imagine the way your TV is spinning this...

[starroute]

63. The scandal is not in the sex but in what surrounds it

A director having an affair with a subordinate always raises questions. So does the fact that the husband was angry enough to complain about it. And there was at least some question of whether he pulled strings to get her another position.

All of this is very reminiscent of the Ensign affair. If this is what you consider "civilization," it's far more of the 18th century lord-of-the-manor style than anything in line with current norms.

For that matter, the whole "rape the chambermaid" thing is also oddly like something out of an 18th century novel. It makes me wonder just what scenarios the guy is playing out in his head.

[Odin2005]

17. String him up and toss this Socialist-In-Name-Only rapist in the clink.

[Name removed]

18. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Scottybeamer70]

19. Maybe he had been watching porno of........

you-know-who! What a disgusting human he is.

[Downwinder]

20. A Berlusconi in training?

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[lightningandsnow]

23. Anyone can be a rapist.

Even "nice guys". Even public figures.

How long will it take people to wake up to what anti-violence advocates have been saying all along?

[Bragi]

45. Huh?

Men likely to engage in rape usually don't wait until they are 62 to do it.

Which is why this whole story doesn't make sense right now.

I await further information before making any conclusions, and suggest others do they same.

[lightningandsnow]

55. Anyone can rape at any age.

Considering it's a crime of power, not passion.

I always side with believing survivors even when it's politically inconvenient. You, though, are free to believe what you want.

[Bragi]

56. I simply await more information

I'm not invested one way or the other as to his guilt. It just seems unlikely to me that a man of 62 would suddenly decide to become a rapist. Let's see what the facts eventually show.

[freshwest]

24. This has to be a diversion. They raped the entire world with their crooked system already.

:argh:

[truedelphi]

34. Indeed they did. n/t

[Prometheus Bound]

26. You gotta wonder how many times assholes like this have got away with this sort of thing.

Maybe he'll get away with this one too, but at least his career's finished.

[Bragi]

46. How do you know he's guilty?

[Prometheus Bound]

48. Are you suggesting this is a conspiracy to frame him?

He got out of there pretty fast for an innocent man.

It now comes out that a French journalist had to fight him off while she was interviewing him for a book last year.

Do you have any evidence that the complainant is involved in a conspiracy to frame him?

[catgirl]

51. To be fair- he did have a plane to catch

He was to meet with Angela Merkel today in Germany. The story that he "fled" the hotel room isn't true.

[Bragi]

54. No.

I suggest waiting for more information before reaching the conclusion that he is guilty.

[mn9driver]

28. This is a major bombshell.

Strauss-Kahn would have led the next French government if this hadn't happened.

[Name removed]

29. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Hardrada]

30. Another arrogant fuk-nutz gets his reward.

[closeupready]

35. Do NOT let him leave the US, or else he will NEVER face justice.

France is on record that they don't care WHAT their natives do while abroad.

[mn9driver]

36. I smell a rat.

I'm NOT defending Strauss-Kahn. If any part of this is true, he is obviously unfit for any position of responsibility.

But he was the likely winner of the next Presidential election in France, representing the Socialist party. The new front runner will be Marine Le Pen, who represents the ultra-right National Front. How convenient for them.

on edit; of course Sarkozy could also have had a hand in this. If he thinks he can pick up some of the socialist vote, he could end up ahead of Le Pen.

[Ghost Dog]

41. Me too.

It's been said French opinion polls have shown Strauss-Kahn is the only potential Socialist politician who could beat both Sarkozy and Marine Le Pen in the first round of the next Presidential elections, and so could go on to become President in the second round (on votes against either Sarkozy or the Front National). If no Socialist gets through the first round, then Sarkozy would likely continue to be The Man (on votes against the Front National), unless an alternative 'center-right' candidate takes the very unpopular Sarkozy's votes.

Nb:

A lawyer representing Strauss-Kahn, Benjamin Brafman, told Reuters in an email that the IMF chief "will plead not guilty." Brafman made no further comment.

...

The IMF managing director has yet to say whether he will run for president, although French opinion polls put him as a clear winner over conservative incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy if the two faced off in an election.

...

Strauss-Kahn was on his way to Europe for a meeting on Sunday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to discuss the European debt crisis and then was to attend a euro zone finance ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday.

/... http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/05/15/uk-strausskahn-arrest-idUKTRE74D29T20110515

[Bragi]

44. Agreed. This makes no sense.

Men who are 62 years old with an apparent lifetime with no indications of improper behaviour do not suddenly and inexplicably crouch in hotel rooms waiting to sexually assault a maid. This makes no sense. I await details.

[bikebloke]

58. He's always had a reputation as a skirt chaser.

[suffragette]

67. A UMP (Sarko's party) member tweeted about the incident before it was reported

quickly followed up by tweets from the UMP who has been orchestrating the smear campaign.

http://www.lepost.fr/article/2011/05/15/2494988_dsk-arrete-ou-les-preuves-d-une-operation-minutieusement-orchestree-par-l-ump.html

[Zorra]

52. Uh-huh. He's either really, really stupid and cluelessly arrogant,

or he's being framed.

[AngryAmish]

61. Let the slut-shaming begin!

[Divernan]

65. Sarkozy plotted with an Hispanic housekeeper and the Manhattan Special Victims Unit?

Wow! Wonder who Dick Wolf will cast as Sarkozy in the Law & Order SVU show about this?!?!?!

This guy's acknowledged sexual harassment history make John Edwards look like a saint.

Did the French accuse Obama of setting up John with Rielle?

[Zynx]

68. If anyone is behind it, it is Sarkozy. The National Front will never win in the second round.

[sce56]

38. Oh at first glance I thought it either Ethan Hunt or Jim Phelps.

[Bragi]

43. moved by author

[Mr. Jefferson]

62. This is beyond bizarre.

Did they perform any drug tests?

[Pooka Fey]

64. This story doesn't make sense. I also smell a rat. nt

[riverwalker]

71. the housekeeper is my heroine

so far she is anonymous, but is one courageous woman. It would be too easy to be intimidated by powerful, rich "men" like Strauss-Kahn. I'm sure he regularly exposes himself to minimum wage housekeepers, this time he went to far. He probably "flashes" chambermaids all over the world, feigning innocence while getting his smirking jollies. She fought him, he raped her-twice- chased her into another room and raped her again. I don't think this is the first time he has done this to the powerless, but this time he picked the wrong woman. Kudos to the investigators who took DNA samples.
The entire incident is magnificently symbolic.