Former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn trial over pimping charges begins today

The trial against former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn for charges relating to pimping begins in France today. 

 

Strauss-Kahn, who was once considered a contender for French president, is accused of aggravated pimping and involvement in a prostitution ring that was run from a luxury hotel in Lille.

 

The economist, known as DSK, has admitted attending sex parties at the Carlton Hotel in Lille near the Belgian border , but says he did not know some of the women were prostitutes. 

 

He faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine or 1.5m euros if found guilty. More than a dozen other French and Belgian businessmen and police officers will go on trial alongside him.

 

The trial is expected to last several weeks and Strauss-Khan is not expected to testify until February 10. 

 

This is just the latest sex scandal to engulf the former IMF head, whose career was cut short after being accused of attempted rape by a hotel maid in New York in 2011. 

 

The charges were eventually dropped, and Mr Strauss-Kahn reached a settlement with the maid, Nafissatou Diallo.

 

Two other cases against him, concerning allegations of sexual assault and gang rape, have also been dropped.