IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn, charged with sexually assaulting maid in NYC hotel, is denied bail
A powerful French politician was tossed behind bars without bail Monday after being hauled before a Manhattan judge on charges of sexually assaulting a hotel chambermaid.
Judge Melissa Jackson ordered International Monetary Fund chief and leading French presidential candidate Dominique Strauss-Kahn to remain in custody until a May 20 hearing.
Prosecutors argued that the allegations against Strauss-Kahn were too shocking for him to go free and that his international ties make him a flight risk.
"The victim provides a very powerful and detailed account," said Assistant District Attorney John McConnell. "He has almost no incentive to stay in this country and almost every resource to leave it."
Strauss-Kahn faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of attempted rape, criminal sexual act and unlawful imprisonment.
Defense lawyers say their client strenuously denies the charges against him.
"We are obviously disappointed by the court's decision," attorney Benjamin Brafman said. "This battle has just begun. We believe that we'll prove in our judgment that Mr. Strauss-Kahn is innocent of these charges"
Dressed in a black overcoat and buttoned-up shirt, the VIP maker of global economic policy was forced to sit like a common criminal with other defendants.
The room was packed with international reporters - and even a smattering of gawking French tourists. Extra security was brought in the control the overflow crowd.
Strauss-Kahn's lawyers asked for $1 million bond, arguing that he has strong ties to the U.S. with a home in Washington and a daughter who lives in New York.
"The defendant has an interest to clear his name," Brafman said, arguing that Strauss-Kahn should remain in New York. "Life before the arrest will not be the same as after the arrest."
Brafman said Strauss-Kahn's New York-born wife Anne Sinclair, was on her way to the city.
Jackson cut off prosecutors when they tried to raise the case of film director Roman Polanski - who fled the U.S. to France to evade prosecution - but ruled in their favor.
Strauss-Kahn was arrested Saturday after a Sofitel hotel maid said he tried to force himself on her.
The 32-year-old woman said she entered the $1,300-a-night room around noon and that a naked Strauss-Kahn tried to attack her.
"He grabbed the victim's chest without consent, attempted to remove her pantyhose, and forcibly grabbed the victim's vaginal area," prosecutors said in a statement.
"His penis made contact with the victim's mouth twice through the use of force."
Surveillance cameras outside the hotel captured Strauss-Kahn's departure. McConnell said they showed a man who "appears to be a man in a hurry."
Judge Melissa Jackson ordered International Monetary Fund chief and leading French presidential candidate Dominique Strauss-Kahn to remain in custody until a May 20 hearing.
Prosecutors argued that the allegations against Strauss-Kahn were too shocking for him to go free and that his international ties make him a flight risk.
"The victim provides a very powerful and detailed account," said Assistant District Attorney John McConnell. "He has almost no incentive to stay in this country and almost every resource to leave it."
Strauss-Kahn faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of attempted rape, criminal sexual act and unlawful imprisonment.
Defense lawyers say their client strenuously denies the charges against him.
"We are obviously disappointed by the court's decision," attorney Benjamin Brafman said. "This battle has just begun. We believe that we'll prove in our judgment that Mr. Strauss-Kahn is innocent of these charges"
Dressed in a black overcoat and buttoned-up shirt, the VIP maker of global economic policy was forced to sit like a common criminal with other defendants.
The room was packed with international reporters - and even a smattering of gawking French tourists. Extra security was brought in the control the overflow crowd.
Strauss-Kahn's lawyers asked for $1 million bond, arguing that he has strong ties to the U.S. with a home in Washington and a daughter who lives in New York.
"The defendant has an interest to clear his name," Brafman said, arguing that Strauss-Kahn should remain in New York. "Life before the arrest will not be the same as after the arrest."
Brafman said Strauss-Kahn's New York-born wife Anne Sinclair, was on her way to the city.
Jackson cut off prosecutors when they tried to raise the case of film director Roman Polanski - who fled the U.S. to France to evade prosecution - but ruled in their favor.
Strauss-Kahn was arrested Saturday after a Sofitel hotel maid said he tried to force himself on her.
The 32-year-old woman said she entered the $1,300-a-night room around noon and that a naked Strauss-Kahn tried to attack her.
"He grabbed the victim's chest without consent, attempted to remove her pantyhose, and forcibly grabbed the victim's vaginal area," prosecutors said in a statement.
"His penis made contact with the victim's mouth twice through the use of force."
Surveillance cameras outside the hotel captured Strauss-Kahn's departure. McConnell said they showed a man who "appears to be a man in a hurry."
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