June 06, 2011
Dominique Strauss Kahn Pleads Not Guilty to Sexual Assault
Former head of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss Kahn, has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual assault and the attempted rape of a hotel maid.
The 62-year-old economist, who was considered a leading contender to run against French President Nicolas Sarkozy, was arrested May 14 on charges that caused him to resign his IMF post in a scandal with international implications.
DNA matching Strauss-Kahn's has reportedly been found in semen on the maid's clothing and on a section of carpet taken from his hotel room. Experts say the defense will probably argue that any sexual contact between the maid and Strauss-Kahn was consensual.
Strauss-Kahn was released three weeks ago on $6 million bail and has been under house arrest in a Tribeca townhouse.
He is due back in court on July 18.