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IMF chief under suicide watch at NYC jail

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this guy obviously is guilty. he's going down.... big payday for the woman and her daughter. no more sheets to turn over. he won't do any time though. his career/life is ruined/over.

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"forced her to perform oral sex" already sounds strange to me... While the guy is knows for being a misogynist and had many affairs around, this is private but if really assaulted her, he deserve what's coming. A slap on the wrist...

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"forced her to perform oral sex"

She should have bitten it off.

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"forced her to perform oral sex"

How do you 'force' someone to perform oral sex?

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This woman just hit the lottery !!!!!!! What an idiot he could have hired a woman !!!! I know he can afford it.

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If he is found guilty he will serve prison time. If this happened in France he would get off.

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"forced her to perform oral sex"

How do you 'force' someone to perform oral sex?

Ask Strauss-Kahn when he gets out of the joint, he'll be an expert on it then.

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How do you 'force' someone to perform oral sex?

How do you ‘force’ someone to have sex? Threat of death or violence will make people do terrible things. Rape in all of its forms is among the most wretched crimes imaginable. Should he be found guilty, jail time is nowhere near what I would consider justice. He could be the Russian chief of ice-cream for all I care, a rapist is a rapist.

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Good thing there is a functioning legal system and he's tried in a COURT not the press. It doesn't matter what the press thinks, it's what the jury of 12 men and women think.

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My, the tin hatters have taken this up too, it seems. For all its faults, America retains fundamental fairness in its strict adherence to its laws. One may disagree with the laws, but circumventing them is very difficult, no matter what one's position, as Strauss-Kahn is finding out now.

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Why do people assume she will get a big payday? she won't get damages - do you all mean from selling her story? I can think of ways that he could have forced her to perform oral sex - maybe not to completion, but at least tried. He has a terrible reputation among those in the know in France. Very aggressive to women, very touchy, has had issues before. Sounds to me like there is at least some smoke here and probably even fire. conspiracy theorists (Sarkozy framed him, US Govt. wanted him to go down to harm IMF) right to mention those, but fact is timing is wrong or his demise won't change IMF stance on US debt.

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Let us see the hallway security videos of him outside his room chasing the maid sans clothing. Without this evidence, well, like bin Laden pictures, I DO NOT BELIEVE A THING MY GOVERNMENT TELLS US.

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A rich Frenchman, high status chasing her like the nude boogeyman. As many aristocratic Frenchmen I have seen belligerent, cocky qui qui...(I saw one run down the hall in Bangkok screaming the French rule butt naked). I will let the detectives and forensic evidence handle this. NYC has high class escorts on a whim, and some nice hotels will provide for you discreetly. I think the story is full of holes but eventually they will get to the bottom of it. Quite sure this was around 11-1PM. The dude is like 60 and last I checked the only place I see them chasing dark skinned girls like dogs is in Thailand or PI. However it could be a set up that has taken months to put together if they knew his schedule and what floor he would be on, and the staff that works the floor. You got the cash and contacts you can make anything happen to one guy. Who the hell knows at this point yet.

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he will plead down, they will settle out of court. she will get paid.

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This is terrible !! A prospective French Presidential candidate. He will get what he deserves.

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Jbeezy- Not a chance. The DA will make sure this high profile individual gets convicted. He will do some time. The authorities have a strong case otherwise they would not arrested him in the first place. I really don't feel sorry for him.

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big payday for the woman and her daughter. no more sheets to turn over

This woman just hit the lottery !!!!!!! What an idiot he could have hired a woman !!!! I know he can afford it.

Pretty disturbing comments here. In the case that this actually happened and he is guilty of the accusations, I'm sure the victim would have preferred not to have been forced upon a monster than to have been forced upon a wealthy monster.

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moonbeams - Agree

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He could be guilty as charged, or it could be a setup. As conspiracy theories go, that is not a far-fetched one. Certainly there would be enough people who liked him out of the way. We on JT can only speculate about that. However, the "suicide watch" nonsense is a lawyers`s maneuvre, that is obvious.

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"The authorities have a strong case"

Do they?

It's pretty easy to fake an assault, scratch him in the right places and then cry fro help. Especially as he's a known philanderer and womaniser. It could be simply a cash cow for the victim, or something more sinister in light of his position at the IMF.

Then again, sexual deviants act on uncontrollable impulsions which could explain a moment of madness.

Either way it should be for the courts to decide, as opposed to the trial by media he's already has. This will not be a fair trial.

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WTF? In NYC just call an escort service, problem solved. Some rich entities are basically lacking in reasoning. sorry for the victim...

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This guy is higher in influence and power than a CEO of a multinational corporation. A guy would have to be insane to risk his position or chance of political office by chasing hotel maids. If he was set up, the equipment and drugs deployed would make an average intelligence detective's mind spin.

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Bah, I don't buy that, Apec. Too James Bond. One sexy maid, mix in some seduction, throw in a little DNA, coupled with some well aimed scratches once she'd got him in the raw - and Bob's your uncle. Attempted rape.

Or he's simply a sex-predator suffering from un-controllable impulsions....

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Madverts:

" Or he's simply a sex-predator suffering from un-controllable impulsions.... "

Not necessarily. Thrill-seeking and arrogant hubris is often part of the personality makeup of the people who make it to the top of heap in big organizations. Bill Clinton could simple have ordered an escort too, but no, intern hanky panky was more challenging.

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Yeah, I can buy that too Willi.

But at least Bill the Thrill's encounter was consensual. And I somehow doubt the POTUS 'phoning out for a Washington call-girl would go un-noticed!

I honestly don't know what to believe in this case. The French are kicking off that he's been shown in cuffs on French TV at this stage of the allegations, something that is an illegality here.

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To Madverts,

The possibility of a set up exists. Here's the assignment, you get $1 Million if you can get a person on sex charges that forces a resignation. You have all tools at your disposal to accomplish the task - control of phones, hotel security, the kitchen for room service, access to the targets hotel room, 2-3 patsies that will do anything you ask, wide array of wireless transmitters, special drugs to disorient people,etc... Can you get the job done?

All methods used will, and does go over the heads of what the police, forensics can understand.

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Maybe Arnie should have also used an escort rather than having an affair with the maid.

Lets see how things develop.

But agree with some posters that some people thing they are untouchable due to their position, jobs, etc and you can also see that in your average corporation.

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"The possibility of a set up exists"

I don't doubt it Apec. I'm just thinking it could be done a helluva lot easier than what you're implying!

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Maybe he had phoned for a 'maid costume' escort and was waiting for her when the real maid came into his room.

Or maybe he didn't pay her what she demanded, so she followed the book and cried "rape!"

Maybe it was a political set-up.

Or maybe he was just a borderline rapist and his time was up...

All kinds of scenarios present themselves, so I find it hard to comment.

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moonbeams has got it right, shame on the rest of you with the conspiracy crap, this guys history says it all, its about bloody time he got caught, hope he does time!

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Why are we cooking stories when there are none. Here we have s sex monster with a History of sex abuse. He should be & will be convicted

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"this guys history says it all"

He has a history as a womaniser and a charmer, not a rapist.

Shame on those that think he doesn't deserve the presumption of innocence GW!

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a "charmer" lol....thats a rich guy who's a pervert. @moonbeams: I wasnt implying that. I just feel it's better for her that she was attacked by a man who could make all her financial problems dissapear than a some bum who has nothing to offer. OF COURSE she would have preferred not to be attacked at all.

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It's 100% hearsay unless they find injuried on this man that might indicate she was trying to fight back and can prove the injuries inflicted on her were done through what she claimed happened. I believe the man assaulted her, but to what extent needs to be proven as much as possible, using evidence (not just Shapiro repeating himself over and over). In any case, the man's reputation has taken a battering and he won't be able to aspire to the Presidency of France. If/when it's proven beyond a reasonable doubt that he assaulted her, in whatever form, then I hope he gets a stint in jail.

Gurukun: "How do you 'force' someone to perform oral sex?" People will do certain things out of fear or direct physical violence that they normally would not and don't want to. The man purportedly already dragged her back in the room and assaulted her, she was probably scared out of her wits.

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I can see Euros and Canadians alike are baffled that in this instance, even though the victim is reportedly a young woman, black, an immigrant from Ghana, a Muslim and a single mother, her word is, in a situation as grave as this, taken as seriously as that of the bigwig IMF socialist scumbag who tried to rape her. I chuckle to think that one of the prime candidates for highest political office in France is languishing alongside the lowest of New York's criminal element at the notorious Rikers Prison.Serves him right.His kind need to be put on notice.Maybe in Europe or Canada your elites can get away with raping the maid, the domestic, the hired help (not to mention the hapless taxpayer) but that is not the case in America.Let us hope it stays that way.I hope this case wakes up our own populace to the disturbing fact that far too many of the elites have utter contempt for those they pretend they serve.

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"I can see Euros and Canadians alike are baffled that in this instance,"

So where do you see them? Who are they?

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Lieberman2012:

" , even though the victim is reportedly a young woman, black, an immigrant from Ghana, a Muslim and a single mother, her word is, in a situation as grave as this, taken as seriously as that of the bigwig IMF socialist scumbag who tried to rape her. "

Yes, but her word can be bought too, ESPECIALLY if she is poor. I am not claiming to know either way; I am just saying that in this particular case the conspiracy theorists are on much firmer ground than in some of the wilder conspiracies out there. Strauss-Kahn had made a lot of enemies, and this would be an elegant way to make him go away.

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@Lieberman2012

I chuckle to think that one of the prime candidates for highest political office in France is languishing alongside the lowest of New York's criminal element at the notorious Rikers Prison.Serves him right.His kind need to be put on notice.Maybe in Europe or Canada your elites can get away with raping the maid, the domestic, the hired help (not to mention the hapless taxpayer) but that is not the case in America.

1) The guy hasn't even been tried yet, so your choice of "His kind" is both a case of libel and kind of destroys your whole argument about American "justice".

2) Your sly dig at Socialists "raping" the taxpayer is pretty revolting. Do you think this is a serious case, or do you think it's a chance for you to display your "wit". Either way, you come across as a pretty horrible individual.

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DSK has a history of assaulting women. He will get what he deserved: jail time. I am pretty sure he will have gotten free if it was his native France. We all can talk about the US judicial system but for one thing, this system is not afraid to prosecute the "big shot" person.

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Chuck,

"DSK has a history of assaulting women."

Propagating a lie doesn't make it true.

In 2007, Tristane Banon, a French journalist and writer, accused Strauss-Kahn of attempting to rape her in 2002 during a television programme, though the name was omitted with a bleep. Now she's popped up presumably because she can smell a pay-out, and I have no doubt there will be other fillies putting their hands up with similar claims.

To say DSK has a history of assaulting women is simply not true. But it doesn't mean he hasn't in this case.

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Sorry Madverts,

I can't agree with you on this one. DSK may have never been formally accused of assualting anyone, but the anecdotal evidence keeps on piling up. There is nothing particularly unbelievable about Banon's story - she was originally dissuaded by her politician mother and her fear that no one would take her accusation (against such a rich and powerful man) seriously. This sort of thing happens all the time - just look at how few are taking the current accusations seriously. I find Banon's story to be at least, if not more, plausable as the stale "she's just in it for the money" claims that pop up reflexively any time a wealthy individual is accused of sexual misconduct. The truth is that wealth, powerful people feel entitled to having their desires met, usually get their way, and rarely get in trouble for their actions. Did you know that sexual assaults on hotel maids - often poor minority immigrants, like this one - are common (or at least common enough that hotels have a wide array of security precautions to try to prevent them)? This sort of thing happens with alarming frequency.

And it's not just Bannon. The economist that DSK had an affair woth back in 2008 is on record saying that the "affair" was not entirely consentual - that she had felt pressured to sleep with him out of fear of losing her position if she refused. That gross sort of coersion is why most organizations have rules about management sleeping with their employees. Add to that the stories about how women were afraid of being caught alone with him for fear of what he'd do - talk about a "hostile work enviroment." Then there was that quote he had about his "just losing control" (I forget which apollogy that came from)...

How much more do we actually need before we can say that the scenerio at the Sofitel is a plausable one (as if it wasn't in the first place!). The only thing that really makes it difficult to believe is that a savy politician like DSK would throw away his career in such a manner. But if the man has a history of skirting - and potential crossing - the line for decades and walking away without consequence, then its not hard to see how he might at last step over a bit too far.

P.S. BHL's comments on this incident were absolutely disgusting; the idea that a lowly chambermaid could possibly be allowed to accuse such a rich an powerful individual is, apparently, beyond the pale. I'm not sure why one would expect more from BHL, who is a thoroughly horrid person... but I do hope his sentiments are not shared by his fellow Frenchmen at large. (I do understand the conspiracy theories, but they are starting to get embarrasing - "Roman Polanski" embarrasing.)

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But if the man has a history of skirting

Skirting and then some!

Good stuff, Triumvere. You're made a balanced, cool-headed and well-reasoned case.

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Triumvere,

Please don't get me wrong, I'm not sure what to believe actually happened in that hotel room and I'm not going to champion DSK's defence. French politics have a way of accepting this kind of behaviour but I personally think people who can't keep it in their trousers, male or female, have no place in the work environment at any level.

I still think it is a lie to say "DSK has a history of assaulting women." And I understand your arguments for Bannon, I just don't accept them. It's not as though she was a lowly immigrant maid either, she comes from powerful rich stock too, so the charges would have been taken seriously. That's why I can only presume she's a money-grubber for talking about bringing charges now.

As to the 2008 affair, was it not DSK who actually got her re-instated to the IMF rather than fired?

"The only thing that really makes it difficult to believe is that a savy politician like DSK would throw away his career in such a manner. But if the man has a history of skirting - and potential crossing - the line for decades and walking away without consequence, then its not hard to see how he might at last step over a bit too far."

Agreed, I think the sex addicts uncontrollable sexual impulsion could be a reason. He may have done this before and thought he'd get away with it again...

...but he could also be the victim of a honey-trap, something as I've already shown, could be done by any women with a reason (money) and motivation (no scruples). And I've met many women that have these fine attributes.

This trial can never be fair, most people on here are claiming his guilt, some even calling him for him to be emasculated, hung and thrown onto the general prison populace....

What's more worrying is that people like this can be called up for juror service!

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Oh, and I'm probably being really dumb here, but who's BHL?

All the DSK and OMG's are confusing me.

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Bernard-Henri Lévy. Sorry, since you were French I assumed you would know.

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Re: Banon

It's not as though she was a lowly immigrant maid either, she comes from powerful rich stock too, so the charges would have been taken seriously. That's why I can only presume she's a money-grubber for talking about bringing charges now.

Her family may be rich and connected, but that does not mean she will be taken seriously - perhaps if DSK was a nobody, yes, but not with his standing. His status trumped hers. Also if find the idea that own mother silenced her to protect her politcal career to be horrifyingly plausable.

Also, if she is rich why should she need to "grub for money?" Well, I suppose everybody wants more money, even - nay, especially - the rich. Still. She made the interview back in 2007 well before DSK's IMF affair or the current incident. It's not as if she is just popping out of the woodwork now (though I wouldn't be surprised if others do.)

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BHL = Bernard-Henri Lévy

He's a French journalist, some of his stuff is alright.

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More French bashing from America and Americans. Use the press to ruin an important person before being found guilty of anything. So if they do not prove their case it still leaves the images of him in court, unkempt and being shamed.

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More French bashing from America and Americans. Use the press to ruin an important person before being found guilty of anything. So if they do not prove their case it still leaves the images of him in court, unkempt and being shamed.

DSK is getting the same sort of treatment any high profile individual accused of rape would get. Isn't that the essence of egalitarianism?

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Yuri, the judge felt there was enough evidence to hold the guy without bail. That's not only because he's a flight risk, it means the evidence the prosecution has presented is substantial and credible. I doubt the maid was a set up; I also doubt she is looking for a payoff to drop the charges.

But DSK is lucky. In France he would be guilty until proven innocent.

Whatever shame he is feeling he has brought on himself.

How is any of this related to DSK's nationality?

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ca1ic0cat, you have already judged him as guilty. Neither one of us has seen the "evidence". The press reports this that or the other thing. Would seem to be that his confinement conditions are punishment by themselves. So he is already serving time, so much for the American spouted blather. Wonder if anyone has checked this maids bank account lately or have done a search of her quarters? Inquiring minds would like to know.

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Maybe it was a setup, but I suppose I'd think that no matter what really happened just because he's a rich, powerful guy and she's a nobody. Put anyone in that situation and the thought crosses your mind.

But in the end it's just hard to believe that some "people" were behind it, and that they actually thought they could get away with it. The police have become pretty good at spotting fake claims and for this one to make it all the way to trail and then a conviction then the evidence is probably pretty credible. Or maybe she was acting on her own, but it's hard to believe that a NYC maid would somehow have knowledge of who this guy is and his history, then exploit it. The high profile nature of the case and the scrutiny that the police will put towards it makes me think they'll probably get the right answer in the end.

YuriOtani: you have already judged him as guilty. Neither one of us has seen the "evidence". The press reports this that or the other thing. Would seem to be that his confinement conditions are punishment by themselves. So he is already serving time, so much for the American spouted blather. Wonder if anyone has checked this maids bank account lately or have done a search of her quarters? Inquiring minds would like to know.

So when you're speaking about him he's innocent until proven guilty, but when speaking about her you're more than comfortable throwing out imaginary accusations with no proof whatsoever. He's being dealt with in accordance of American law in these types of cases. It's a heinous crime and they are going to treat him as a risk because that's what they'd do with anyone. It's not like he was arrested for jaywalking...

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This is a very weird case.I am sure that there is more to this than is being reported.Are there drugs involved?What would make the head of the IMF do this?It does not make any sense for a man in his position to attack a chamber maid does it? Demonic forces at work for sure!

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An important man falls so fast so hard from such a very top position for an almost unbelievable reason...little wonder some people worry that he might commit suicide.Somehow I feel sympathy for this man especially when bail was refused even he wanted to surrender all his travel documents and stay with his daughter in New York. I will wait and see but hope justice will be done for him and her.

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Actually they have to PROVE he is guilty and not the other way around.

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Most people would get bail, this is all part of the punishing of him.

We've been over this: he's an accused rapist with lots of money and powerful connections in a country that does not like to extridite it's leading citizens. He was pulled of an international flight minutes before taking to the air. There is no way, given the severity of the charge and the circumstances of case, that he was going to recieve bail. He's a classic flight risk.

It's the same thing as with the humiliating "perp walk"; its a standard feature - like it or not - of the American system, not some sort of special vindictiveness invented for Mr. Strauss-Kahn. Really, its almost as if you know nothing about the judicial system you are critcizing.

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There seems to be more than a bit of speculation that he was set up. He probably has alot of enemies that are looking to ruin his political aspirations. The fact he's so willing to undergo forensic body examination says a lot and the timing just before he's due to put his name forward for the French Presidential elections is reason enough to question what I understand to be an unsupported allegation. There might be a possiblity that he came out of the shower and cleaning lady was frustrated over her job and the whole thing didn't turn into a horrible situation. She freaks out, as anyone would with a naked guy behind you and he tries to grab her and calm her and it all heads south after that. Wait until investigation is complete and there might be a twist to this story.

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There might be a possiblity that he came out of the shower and cleaning lady was frustrated over her job and the whole thing didn't turn into a horrible situation. She freaks out, as anyone would with a naked guy behind you and he tries to grab her and calm her and it all heads south after that. Wait until investigation is complete and there might be a twist to this story.

...and somehow his penis accidentally ends up in her mouth? Really, people need to stop fantasizing about what "might have happened."

There are three options, realistically:

1) They had sex, and it was consentual. 2) They had sex, and it wasn't consentual. 3) They didn't have sex.

It is has been strongly indicated - despite earlier reports from is lawyers - that sexual intercourse took place. Now the only question is whether it was consentual or not. Or, to put it in a more legal sense, if that intercourse can be proven to have been non-consentual beyond a reasonable doubt. That's a pretty high standard, but hopefully the forensic evidence will lead the jury to the right concusion.

May I suggest we wait for the trial to determine the facts of the case.

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This was surely a set up. He was in somebodys way ... between them and billions or trillions of dollars. This is just too much like what they did to Julian Assange to take seriously. He also was 'inconvenient' to a lot of powerful people.

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It can be done - SET UP. The public may not be the ones who knows, but MAYBE the police detectives. Operative term - timing. There are some desperate people who needs control of IMF policies.

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Triumvere at 07:13 AM JST - 19th May. .and somehow his penis accidentally ends up in her mouth? Really, people need to stop fantasizing about what "might have happened."

If you said this, your the one that is still fantasizing. This is why I said: Wait until investigation is complete and there might be a twist to this story. Please read.

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" More French bashing from America and Americans. "

Firstly, there is no bashing going on and second it is not just Americans making comments about this guy. As a Canadian, I find this man's supposed actions deplorable. Secondly, it is disturbing to see the muted response from the usual rabble- rousers who prejudicially prefer to pick only at one nationality.

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Better than fiction.The whole sordid affair beats even Bonfire of Vanities.Some say the fate of the Euro is at stake here.

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Everyone is against him, what if he is innocent?

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Think the Americans want to head the IMF and this is their plan. The suicide watch is a certain give away of their bad intentions to him. The no bail is icing on the cake. The names Americans are more proof as well. So how can he have a fair trial in an French hating America? Between the comments here and on other blogs the case rests.

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YuriOtani,

By longstanding tradition, the US gets the World Bank and Europe gets the IMF. While it was considered likely that the next IMF head would come from Asia, circumstances in Europe - what with the solvency crisis - make it likely that the next chief will be European as well. The current front runner, according to some sources, is a Turk. When a Non-American is chosen as the IMF head, will you come back to this board an admit you were wrong?

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Everyone is against him, what if he is innocent?

If so, God willing, he will be found not guilty. Most likely, even with an aquittal, his political career is over - too many skeletons dragged out of the closet.

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@YuriOtani:

Actually they have to PROVE he is guilty and not the other way around.

Which is the process now taking place.

Proving a re-patriated man of sexual assault, attempted rape, while he is untouchable in his own country, is not going to happen. The man is a flight risk.

This is why there is no bail, at present.

@SuperLib:

So when you're speaking about him he's innocent until proven guilty, but when speaking about her you're more than comfortable throwing out imaginary accusations with no proof whatsoever.

Agree!

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@YuriOtani: No one wants his head. A guy named DSK sexually assaulted a woman and she reported him. The police arrest him because they think that the woman story is credible. Now the case will follow the judicial process. No matter how his lawyers will try to spin it ( the sex was consentual ) has to be determine in the court of law with each side presenting some evidences.

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chuckbello, time will tell but his being in solitary confinement is punishment in itself. Make him pay a large bail and if he escapes then it proves his guilt. While he may not be extradited, he will never leave France again. Triumvere, we will see but just because a non American is selected does not mean the Americans were not gunning for him. I am surprised the French have not demanded his return. They may have in private. Am not sure he can get a fair trial in the USA. The media there have already found him guilty. Fox News is already talking about his sentencing. About the victim, it is like she won the lottery.

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"But DSK is lucky. In France he would be guilty until proven innocent."

I'm not sure who's giving you this information, in France you're innocent until proven guilty.

A bit like in America, unless you're famous, and then you might be un-lucky enough to get tried by the press!

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Triumvere,

I'm not French, I just live here - but thanks for clearing that up.

"If so, God willing, he will be found not guilty."

I'd rather put my faith in the facts than faith.

"Most likely, even with an aquittal, his political career is over - too many skeletons dragged out of the closet."

If it was a set-up, the conspirators already have what they want. He's gone from the IMF and he's ruined whatever the outcome.

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YuriOtani,

DSK was put in solitary confinement for his own protection. I may agreed with you about him posting bail but that's the judge call. The point is not extradiction or him not leaving France again. He is accused of a despicable crime, therefore the case must follow its judicial course. If his convicted, he must do the time, otherwise he will be set free.

France can't demand his return because he has no diplomatic immunity, so he falls under the US legal system. And by the way, he will get a fair trial because it's not a Kangaroo court. Also he hired one of the best lawyer in the country. I am sure Brafman will tend that he gets all of its legal rights respected.

The victim didn't win the lottery because I bet you she will be traumatized by this experience all her life. Remember, she WAS SEXUALLY assaulted.

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"Remember, she WAS SEXUALLY assaulted."

No, she claims to have been sexually assaulted.

He denies it.

US, like French law guarantees the presumption of innocence.

A fair trial is no longer possible, because the media have already tried him, and people like yourselves are already saying he's guilty.

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Let's minimize speculation, and see what the trial unveils.

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"No, she claims to have been sexually assaulted."

Tangible testimonies and elements converge to support her claims. Without the DNA evidence, the camera recordings and hotel staff testimonies, he would not be in jail today. The file is not empty. The affair is not judged but it is abusive to say it is only what one woman says. That's also unrelated with what the media do. They have no influence on the investigation of police nor on decisions of the judges.

So far he has been treated much more fairly than so many people in France where judges don't need one hint nor one testimony to lock someone, and they do it often. My cousin's friend spent 15 yrs in jail (condemned for life for double murder of kids), based one one vague testimony, no DNA, nothing. French judges decide on their "intime conviction" as stated in the law and that means they just follow their feelings. It's irrelevant, that's just to say he is not losing anything by being in that trouble in the US compared to being in France.

DSK being prevented to take a plane is based on serious charges (unlike the numerous cases of guys who happen to get a name homonym with person listed as potential terrorist). There is no reason to complain on unfairness about his case.

And I'll say if ever he was trapped, as some suggest (and I doubt it), by a woman pretending to agree to sex with him and later accusing him... so,if ever that was the case, he deserves getting the mediatic trouble anyway. He has been accused of harassing women 3 times, for what we know for sure. And there is that awful atmosphere in French politics these days. It is totally insane that he was not super more careful about his "love life", especially while abroad. No excuse for getting caught the hand in the same candy jar 4 times. Whatever is the truth...you are not fit to be a politic leader Monsieur Strauss-Kahn.

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"Tangible testimonies and elements converge to support her claims."

Testimonies to who? The man has yet to be judged....the case yet to be heard....

Once again I find myself defending a man I don't particularly care for.

"Without the DNA evidence, the camera recordings and hotel staff testimonies, he would not be in jail today. The file is not empty"

Even the US authorities that are "fast-tracking" the DNA don't have your insight!

"The affair is not judged but it is abusive to say it is only what one woman says."

Then presumably you have the witness statements that the NY prosecutor would love to have?

"That's also unrelated with what the media do. They have no influence on the investigation of police nor on decisions of the judges."

And the jury?

"So far he has been treated much more fairly than so many people in France where judges don't need one hint nor one testimony to lock someone, and they do it often."

Go on, back that one up with some proof.

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Mythos

Whoops...

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What's happening now is that the media is filling the information vacuum with "possibilities" just to have something to say. In the end it will all be up to the police department. My guess is that she probably seemed credible and had some kind of evidence because the New York Police Department probably wants to make sure they don't arrest a guy like this unless they can back it up. They know people will be able to see the evidence and hear what she said so they know their actions will be scrutinized. Whether it holds up over time is another story.

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"My guess is that she probably seemed credible and had some kind of evidence because the New York Police Department probably wants to make sure they don't arrest a guy like this unless they can back it up."

I have no doubts you're right. But there must also be the fact he's French and that despite what the judge has said, Polanski's ghost is omni-present.

Strauss-Khan has the Jewish card to play, especially in NYC.

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Has still the Jewish card. Whilst you're doctoring people's posts mod, if you'd be so kind as to do the honours, cheers :)

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''Strauss-Khan has the Jewish card to play, especially in NYC''. I doubt it. this will not absolve you if you commit a crime.

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Perhaps. But NYC has a strong lobby, and they look after their own. I'll bet a lot of Americans haven't even realized he's Jewish yet.

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chuckbello, we will have to wait and see. He actually may be guilty. Sometimes the wealthy and powerful do not feel they need to respect the rights of others and are outside of the law. Think my thing is all of the truly UGLY messages left on the net. Time will tell, people like him need to be more careful in their day to day lifes. Like hire body guards and staff which can act as witness and keep people from their personnel spaces. Unfair perhaps but it comes with the benefits. Like these celebs caught drunk driving, why did not not hire a driver? Well again all we can do is wait.

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I don't see what him being Jewish has to do with anything; it certainly won't gain him extra points at trial.

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@Madverts

I'm not French, I just live here.

My most profound apologies!

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That's OK Triumvere, it's not a disease you can catch :)

I'm not sure if the Jewish angle will help, it is NYC after all. Wgat will work against him I imagine is the judge being a woman.

But I'd just like the facts to judge him to be honest.

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