The former head of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, will have to face charges of pimping in a French court, after prosecutors were unable to convince the court to drop the case.
Judges on Friday said they would go ahead with the aggravated pimping charges, tied to an alleged prostitution ring and Mr. Strauss-Kahn’s alleged payment for the women’s services, CBS reported. Attorneys for Mr. Strauss-Kahn said he attended the prostitute parties, but did not know that the women were paid.
Fourteen were handed the same charges by the court. Mr. Strauss-Kahn’s previous charge of organized pimping – a much more serious offense – was previously dropped.
Prosecutors last month asked for the entire pimping case against the former IMF chief be dropped due to flimsy evidence, CBS reported. At the same time, prosecutors wanted to go forward with the charges against the other 13 defendants.
Mr. Strauss-Kahn’s defense attorney reacted to the judge’s Friday ruling with dismay.
“He did not commit the offense of prostitution,” said attorney Frederique Baulieu, in CBS. “He neither aided nor assisted prostitution. In a very calm and serene fashion, we await a public debate that will show the absurdity of this decision.”
Ms. Baulieu said the judges used “morals” rather than law to reach their ruling.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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