Updated: Mon Jun. 06 2011 10:01:09
CTV.ca News Staff
Former International Monetary Fund boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn pleaded not guilty to sexual assault charges during a brief court appearance Monday.
In his first court appearance since he was granted house arrest on a $6-million cash bail and bond two weeks ago, Strauss-Kahn spoke in a strong voice, as his wife, journalist Anne Sinclair, watched.
The French diplomat and economist has been charged with attempted rape, sex abuse, a criminal sex act, unlawful imprisonment and forcible touching. The most serious charge has a maximum punishment of 25 years in prison.
Strauss-Kahn is accused of forcing himself upon a hotel maid, who was cleaning the $3,000-a-night suite he had been staying in last month in New York.
The maid told police Strauss-Kahn chased her in the hallway of his suite and alleged he forced her to perform oral sex on him.
Prosecutors say they have strong evidence against Strauss-Kahn, including DNA material on the woman's uniform, sources have told The Associated Press.
Strauss-Kahn's defence team will argue that the hotel room encounter was consensual.
"It will be clear that there was no element of forcible compulsion in this case whatsoever," Strauss-Kahn's attorney, Ben Brafman, said outside of court Monday. "Any suggestion to the contrary is simply not credible."
The maid's lawyer, Kenneth Thompson, spoke out strongly against any speculation that the woman made up or exaggerated the attack.
"The victim wants you to know that all of Dominique Strauss-Kahn's power, money and influence throughout the world will not keep the truth about what he did to her in that hotel room from coming out," Thompson said.
"She is standing up for women around the world sexually assaulted who are too afraid to come forward," he said, adding she was ready to testify in court.
About 50 people, mostly hotel workers bused in by their union, chanted "shame on you" while Strauss-Kahn made his way into the courthouse.
Strauss-Kahn's next court appearance is July 18. He is under house arrest, which includes 24-hour surveillance and armed guards in a $50,000-a-month Tribeca town house.
With files from The Associated Press
Paul
Either he is a dirty old perv who thought he could get away with anything because of position, or he is innocent and was not playing ball with certain parties and they set him up to make room for someone who would do what they were told. Age old tradecraft at its best, or worst as the case may be.
Prof. Pye Chartt
Typical. These ego-driven, self-important political types (his public nickname is "The Great Seducer") seldom plead guilty. It's not in their DNA. They seldom admit wrongdoing of any kind and, instead, righteously blame their predicament on the hateful and vengeful acts of motivated others. The wives are self-compelled to smile and deny the public disgrace, and keep their own crown atop their head. (Indeed, when a guilty verdict is handed down, they're on the phone to a good divorce lawyer.) Good luck, King Strauss-Kahn.
Jim in Ottawa
These are very serious charges indeed. I encourage everyone to reserve their judgment and allow the courts to proceed with the job with the task at hand.
Bobby from Nova Scotia
If he's guilty - how we love to jump to conclusions without all the facts - hope you're never accused of something and everyone jumps on the guilty bandwagon before your trial!
Carl
Whether it was consensual or not, it's astonishing that his wife is still by his side. I know if most men had sex with a hotel maid their wives would leave immediately - and rightly so. I also find it repulsive that there is such inequality in the treatment of rich defendents like Strauss-Kahn. If an ordinary man were charged with such an offence, they would still be in jail, unable to afford bail. Instead, Strauss-Kahn continues to live in amid opulence most of us cannot even imagine. Disgusting.
spaz
Am willing to bet that the smile on his wife's face has something to do with the divorce settlement she is about to proceede with.......and rightly so.Imagine her thoughts on waking up next to the man with this kind of behavior ??
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