IMF Chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn denied Bail in Sex Assault Case in New York

Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the head of the International monetary Fund (IMF) was arrested in New York on 15 May 2011 on allegations that he forced or attempted to force a maid at the Sofitel hotel in Manhattan to perform oral sex on him. Strauss-Kahn allegedly threw the housekeeper on the room’s bed and forced her to perform oral sex on him. 

        
Prosecutors said the allegations against Mr. Strauss-Kahn were substantial and that he had little motivation to return to court to answer to the charges.

International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn was arrested ana later refused bail in a sex assault case following an appearance in a New York City courtroom 16 May 2011. The judge, Melissa Jackson, ordered Mr. Strauss-Kahn to be held without bail pending grand jury action on the case.

Strauss-Kahn was charged with two counts of criminal sexual act in the first degree, one count of attempted rape in the first degree, one count of sexual abuse in the first degree, one count of unlawful imprisonment in the second degree, one count of forcible touching, and one count of sexual abuse in the third degree.

The IMF chief was hauled off an Air France flight two minutes before it was due to take off, and taken into custody by the NYPD.

The arrest could change the course of France's presidential elections in 2012. Strauss-Kahn was expected to leave the IMF soon to enter the race as the leading Socialist Party candidate, and was running ahead of President Nicolas Sarkozy in recent polls. The arrest is likely to strengthen Sarkozy's prospects against him. It could also boost the chances of far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen.     

                                    
This is not the first time he's been involved in a sex scandal. Back in 2008 there was a story of the IMF investigating an improper sexual relationship with a subordinate.