Former International Monetary
Fund chief and one-time French presidential hopeful Dominique
Strauss-Kahn went on trial on pimping charges in France Monday.
Strauss-Kahn, 65, is accused of helping to procure sex
workers for an alleged prostitution ring based at a hotel in the
northern French city of Lille.
He has admitted attending sex parties there but says he
did not know that some of the women were prostitutes.
The case is the latest sex-related allegation against
Strauss-Kahn and is seen as a bellwether for gauging changing
French attitudes to holding the private lives of the great and
good up to the courts of judicial and public opinion.
In 2011, after being accused of attempted rape by a hotel
maid in New York, the IMF leader left his job and was forced out
of the French presidential race where he was seen as having a
better chance than eventual winner Francois Hollande.
The charges were eventually dropped 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 already been dropped.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
