The former International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, was charged on Monday in France with “aggravated pimping” for his suspected participation in a prostitution ring, prosecutors reported. Strauss-Kahn, who was released under a 100,000-euro bail, is barred from having contact with other individuals involved in the investigation, as well as discussing the matter with the media. The charge alleges participation in the consistent operation of a prostitution racket. “Aggravated” means that Strauss-Kahn was involved on a regular basis, and “pimping” means not only was he a customer, but he was facilitating a prostitution operation as well.
Strauss-Kahn’s attorneys are calling the accusations “unhealthy, sensationalist and not without a political agenda.” The attorneys are reporting that their client attended sex parties, but was unaware that the women in attendance were prostitutes. According to the French Penal Code, though prostitution is legal, profiting from the prostitution of another person is against the law. The former IMF chief has been in connection with a number of sex scandals in the past year. In May, Strauss-Kahn stepped down as IMF chief after a New York City hotel maid accused him of sexual assault and attempted rape, but the case fell apart. In 2003, a young French writer, Tristane Banon, accused Strauss-Kahn of attempted rape, but the case, also dropped, was not pursued due to a statue of limitations. He has not been convicted of any crime thus far. The accusations have destroyed his expected plan to run for the French presidency this year.
