Dominique Strauss-Kahn: guilty or guilty?

How quickly a situation can change. The head of the IMF is now labelled in the media as the former head of the IMF. The future president of France is now called an alleged rapist. A man of political and financial power and influence has now posted $1 million in bail and is being monitored electronically while under house arrest. The fall from grace can be sudden and dramatic.

Strauss-Kahn stands accused of the sexual assault of a New York hotel maid. If convicted, he could face up to 25 years in prison. The newspapers are awash with speculation about the case and the inconsistencies in what little information the public has. One thing we do know for certain is that the man has denied the charges against him. Did he do it or did he not do it? If he did do it, was the sex consensual? If he couldn’t have done it, was he in fact having lunch with his daughter at the supposed time of the incident? On top of it, in France there is a theory that this whole thing was a set-up designed to remove Strauss-Kahn from next year’s presidential race.

Whatever truth the courts eventually discover, there can be no doubt that Mr. Strauss-Kahn’s life on planet Earth has been irrevocably altered. He is no longer head of the IMF. It is certain probably in the realm of 99% he will be dropped as a potential candidate for next year’s presidential race. His name has been written in capital letters in just about every newspaper alongside the expression “alleged rape”. His previous indiscretions have come to light as women emboldened by the news have decided to remain silent no longer about their run-ins with the man. Whatever happened, this incident is a turning point. It is the glance at a cell phone that results in the driver losing attention and ending up in a head-on collision. It is the amputation of a limb. It is the point of no return. Whatever safe, peaceful and warm place is in the rear view mirror, it is gone forever and there is no other option on the table but to move forward and let the events play themselves out.

Recap of the events

Sunday, May 14

Dominique Strauss-Kahn, 62, is removed from a Paris-bound flight in New York just minutes before its departure. He is charged with attempted rape and unlawful imprisonment.

Reports state Strauss-Kahn left the hotel at 12:30pm however the 911 call to the police did not occur until 1:32pm. Police arrived at the hotel 13 minutes later. Strauss-Kahn phoned the hotel at 3:30pm looking for his mobile phone. Police boarded the plane at 4:30pm and took the man into custody.

Wednesday, May 18

Strauss-Kahn is indicted by a grand jury. Bail is set at $1 million. He must be electronically monitored, post a $5 million bond and hand in his passports. Click here for the indictment. He officially resigns as head of the International Monetary Fund.

Friday, May 20

Strauss-Kahn is released to house arrest. The IMF announces it has started a selection process for his replacement. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 6.

Conspiracy?

France – yes, the entire country – has been knocked for a loop by this affair. It seems totally unbelievable that such a thing could happen and many, jumping to the defence of “their man”, have speculated that this all could be a plot to topple Strauss-Kahn from his pedestal and his chance at being the next president of France.

La Figaro reports on an inconsistency in the news in pointing out how Joathan Pinet, a member of the UMP (Union pour un movement populaire), Nicolas Sarkozy’s political party, seemed to have tweeted news of Strauss-Kahn’s arrest before it actually was announced to the public. How did he know this? The newspaper refers to an article by Le Post detailing the events.

The Canadian online daily The Mark shows as a headline “Fifty-seven per cent of people in France believe the head of the IMF was framed on sexual assault charges“

see Dominique Strauss-Kahn: IMF = I’m fried: Oye! Times, May 18/2011

Euronews – May 21/2011

Strauss-Kahn holed up under house arrest in Lower Manhattan

Dominique Strauss-Kahn has finally been released on bail from Rikers Island after residents at the Bristol Plaza, where his wife had rented luxury accommodation, complained that his presence would prompt a media feeding frenzy and it would not accept the Frenchman. Strauss-Kahn has been indicted for allegedly trying to rape a hotel housekeeper, a charge he denies.

References

Wikipedia: Dominique Strauss-Kahn sexual assault case

The Dominique Strauss-Kahn sexual assault case involves the ongoing criminal prosecution of Dominique Strauss-Kahn in the United States for the alleged sexual assault and attempted rape of a housekeeper at a Manhattan hotel on May 14, 2011. At the time of the alleged attack, Strauss-Kahn was the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and considered to be a leading candidate for the 2012 French Presidency. He subsequently resigned from his IMF post while denying all allegations, stating that he intends to devote all of his time and energy to proving his innocence.

The Mark – May 21/2011

Why France Believes the Strauss-Kahn Plot by Roland Michel Tremblay

Fifty-seven per cent of people in France believe the head of the IMF was framed on sexual assault charges.

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