Dominique Strauss Kahn Acquitted in ‘Aggravated Pimping’ Trial

Dominique Strauss Kahn, the former chief of the International Monetary Fund and a one-time aspiring French politician, was acquitted of “aggravated pimping” on Friday. A French court found that while Strauss Kahn did participate in orgies at which prostitutes were present, he did not pay these women. 

Strauss Kahn's legal problems began four years ago, when a hotel maid in New York accused him of sexual assault. He eventually reached a settlement with her and criminal charges were dropped, but in France he was still wanted for his role in orgies attended by prostitutes. His lawyers said he attended orgies because he had “an appetite for rough sex.” 

Although using the services of a prostitute is not illegal in France, procuring a prostitute is illegal. Strauss Kahn was charged with helping to organize the orgies he attended and therefore with procuring these women. Many of the plaintiffs went on to drop charges against him and eventually prosecutor Fredric Fevre recommended Strauss Kahn be acquitted, so the decision did not come as a surprise. 

Following the acquittal, Strauss Kahn told his daughter, “All that for this? What a waste.” His attorney, Henri Leclerc, told the BBC, “Everyone can see there was no legal basis in the case and all the noise that has surrounded this story has given us all something to think about.” 

Strauss Kahn maintains that he was unaware the women were prostitutes. He referred to the orgies he attended as “recreational sessions” that were necessary to held him deal with the pressures of the financial crisis while he was leader of the IMF. 

Had he been found guilty, he could have served up to 10 years in jail.