Tag: Dominique Strauss-Kahn (page 3)

IWatch News has new details in the alleged sexual assault case of former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn, all from anonymous Sofitel Hotel workers. It says some of the workers testified before the grand jury.

First, the new details. Then the inconsistencies, between this version, earlier versions, police statements and leaks and the court documents. [More...]

The New York Times profiles Anne Sinclair, wife of Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who is not only a famous television personality in France, but an heiress.

It's a good thing for DSK she's an heiress. In addition to being able to foot the bill for hefty legal fees, New York apartments and $200,000 a month to the private security company guarding DSK while on bond, there may be the fees of a crisis management firm, called TDI, based in Washington, D.C.

TDI is composed of former CIA agents and diplomats. What exactly might they do? Here's what they said they did for an African politican: [More...]

[Update: Many of the reported details below about the background of the accuser have changed since this was written.]

I have always objected to the media naming the person accused of a rape crime, but shielding the name of his accuser. How is that fair? If the woman was stabbed, the U.S Media would name her.

There should be no stigma associated with rape. Rape should not attach a sense of shame to the accuser. But it does in many cases, and so these accusers are looked upon as perennial victims, when a much better word for them would be survivors. Keeping their names from the media perpetuates the antiquated myth that women who get raped are fragile and weak, and need someone to look after them. Releasing their names could empower them and remove them from being under a shadow of shame and the stigma that all too often accompanies women who are raped. By allowing them to be treated just like everyone else, perhaps society will come to accept that rape is an expression of violence, it is not really about the sex. Women have nothing to be ashamed of when dealing with the aftermath of a rape. They were the temporary victim of a violent crime, just like the person who got mugged. Naming the accuser, when the male suspect is similarly publicly named, levels the playing field and makes them equal. No one wants to be a permanent victim.

In the Dominique Strass-Kahn case, no one but the two of them know for certain what happened and didn't happen in that hotel room. [More..]

IMF Chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn will be released on bail .

Judge Michael Obus set bail terms of $1m in cash as well as $5m in an insurance bond set against the international politician's properties in the US. He also demanded that Strauss-Kahn surrender all his travel documents and that he remain under house arrest in Manhattan under 24-hour armed guard.

On the armed security company: [More...]

Dominique Strauss-Kahn has submitted his resignation as head of IMF. In his statement, he also asserted his innocence of the charged crimes.

“I want to say that I deny with the greatest possible firmness all of the allegations that have been made against me.”

His new request for bail will be heard at 2:15 today by NY State Supreme Court Justice Michael J. Obus. Strauss-Kahn has also submitted a waiver of extradition, allowing the U.S. to return him to the U.S. from any country in which he is found.

“In the event I fail to voluntarily appear in the New York court for any such proceedings, I waive the issuance and service of the warrant provided by law for my extradition from the Republic of France or any other jurisdiction.”

Prediction: Bail will(and should be) granted.

Lawyers for IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn have filed a new application for bail. It will be heard tomorrow in the New York's Supreme Court, by a different judge than the judge who denied bail Monday. Friday's appearance is for the return of the grand jury indictment. (The accuser testified today.)

The defense is again proposing bail in the amount of $1 million, coupled with an ankle monitor and residence at a New York apartment. Does he stand a better chance? Probably, particularly if the defense is also arranging for a private security company to monitor him at the apartment 24/7.

Ben Brafman told CNBC he's out of town and co-counsel William Taylor will handle the hearing. Taylor was at Rikers' today visiting their client.

The accused's lawyer is all over TV promoting her veracity and her impoverished immigrant status. He's a personal injury lawyer who met her for the first time Sunday, after the alleged encounter. [More...]

Via the New York Times: Information from IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn's lawyers may have the makings of an alibi:

.... he checked out of the hotel around 12:30 p.m., returning his keys to reception, and met his daughter for lunch before going to the airport, where he realized he had lost one of his cellphones, calling the hotel and asking that they return it to him at the airport. The New York police originally estimated the time of the alleged attack on the maid at about 1 p.m., but have since revised it to around noon.

And how did Strauss-Kahn's political opponents get the news before the media? The first tweet was by a French student who belongs to President Nicolas Sarkozy’s center-right party. [More...]

The Wall St. Journal has new details on the sex assault charge against IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn.

First, he's being represented by Ben Brafman (great choice.) Next, the maid accusing him identified him through a photo identification known as a "show up."

The accuser informed hotel security officials, who showed her a photo of the suite's occupant. After she identified Mr. Strauss-Kahn as her attacker, hotel officials then called police.

[More...]