IMF Head Detained For Questioning In Sex Assault

Dominique Strauss-Kahn, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, was pulled from an Air France flight in New York today and held for questioning about an alleged sexual assault. The incident allegedly occurred at the Sofitel Hotel in New York City. A female employee at the hotel reported the alleged assault.

Strauss-Kahn Held for Questioning in Assault, Police Say
By Karen Freifeld and Sandrine Rastello • Bloomberg/Business Week

May 14 (Bloomberg) -- Dominique Strauss-Kahn, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, was pulled from an Air France flight in New York today and held for questioning about an alleged sexual assault, a police spokesman said.

New York Police Department spokesman Brian Sessa said the alleged incident took place at a Manhattan hotel, and Strauss- Kahn hasn’t been charged.

The New York Times reported the incident occurred at the Sofitel New York, 45 West 44th Street, in Midtown. The newspaper said a female employee at the hotel reported the alleged assault.

IMF spokesman William Murray had no immediate comment.

Police said they didn’t immediately know if Strauss-Kahn had hired a lawyer to assist him.

Strauss-Kahn, 62, was scheduled to attend a meeting of euro area finance ministers in Brussels on May 16. Officials are to discuss the possible increase of a 110-billion ($155-billion) loan package to Greece amid concerns the country may be unable to return to markets to finance its debt next year.

This is the second time since he took the helm of the IMF in November 2007 that Strauss-Kahn has faced allegations of misconduct.

In 2008, he had a relationship with Piroska Nagy, a female economist at the IMF, who quit in August of that year. An investigation by the IMF board, released in October 2008, concluded that while he had made a “serious error of judgment,” he shouldn’t be fired.

Strauss-Kahn apologized to his staff and family, which includes four children from two previous marriages.

--With assistance from Dan Hart and Kevin Costelloe in Washington. Editors: Sylvia Wier, Pat Oster.

The Washington Post reports on the alleged assault:

…a 32-year-old chambermaid complained that a naked Strauss-Kahn sexually attacked her in his Manhattan hotel room, the police said. The maid, who said she broke free, suffered minor injuries, police said.

The Post also notes that Strauss-Kahn is thought to be planning to run against French President Nicolas Sarkozy in next year’s election.

[Hat Tip: Nachos.]

Comments

[Dr. Dave]

The Post also notes that Strauss-Kahn is thought to be planning to run against French President Nicolas Sarkozy in next year’s election.

Well, he has the qualifications to be Prime Minister of Italy anyway.

[moshe]

Must be that Chabad Chosid again. They all look the same naked.

[ali]

Gross. May 14th & this is the 5th Orthodox Jew who can't keep his pants zipped this month.

Strauss-Kahn
Meir Dascalowitz
Gavriel Bidany
Joseph Gelbman
Moshe Y. "Itzik" Vaisfiche

[Shmarya]

He's not Orthodox.

[Loshon Hora]

He's not Orthodox.

Posted by: Shmarya | May 15, 2011 at 12:05 AM
Was he once?
If not why are you repoting on him, is this site now anything against any Jew?

[Loshon Hora]

BTW off topic a little, I think this has to do with the debt cealing on May 16th, they decided to bust the IMF instead of spending away Iour nations wealth on whatever they please, to keep those kickbacks comming in way after retitrement.

[Garnel Ironheart]

It's entirely possible that this guy, while not actually being Orthodox, knows how to spell the word "synagogue" and has walked past one once or twice in his life. That seems to be all the connection anyone needs anymore around here.

[jewishwhistleblower]

Alert:

News documentary premier on Monday, May
16, 2011 in Canada (check availabilty and time with your satellite/cable provider) dealing with child sexual abuse in the Orthodox Jewish community. One of the alleged abusers featured is Rabbi Ephraim Boruch Bryks.

http://www.visiontv.ca/Schedules/week.php?tzadj=1.5&starttime=nw

Sex Scandals in Religion (Documentary Series)
Looking at allegations of child sexual abuse in Orthodox Jewish communities in Winnipeg and Brooklyn, and attempts by these communities to silence the victims. EPISODE: Sex Scandals in Religion: Ep 2 (102 Wall of Silence) RATING: 14+ CC�d: N

and
http://www.visiontv.ca/Programs/documentaries.html

Sex Scandals in Religion – A Four Part Series – WORLD PREMIERE
Mondays, May 9, 16, 23 and 30 at 10:30pm ET / 7:30pm PT

We’ve heard about the infamous sex abuse allegations in the Catholic Church. This compelling, original documentary series takes an unprecedented look at incidents in four other mainstream faiths and their ensuing repercussions. Perhaps not comparable to the sheer volume in the Catholic Church, these cases present situations prevalent enough to merit exposure and censure.

[Shmarya]

I helped them with this documentary, BTW.

[jewishwhistleblower]

Yasher Koah!

Here is a link to the commercial for the series.

http://video.visiontv.ca/#clip4388869-channel1946

The website also states:

"...in Orthodox Jewry, a case involving a rabbi and young boys obscures the mechanisms of justice"

[jewishwhistleblower]

Some clips:

http://www.earthbook.tv/religion/channelhome/channelhome/149/

http://www.earthbook.tv/religion/channelhome/channelvideos/149/640/

[itchiemayer]

Can someone explain the reason for the now common occurence of hyphenated last names for men these days.

[Rochel]

When I looked at the above links, I found this one by a Rabbi Nochem Rosenberg, who, I think, has been mentioned on this blog. It seems to be a type of PSA (public service announcement) with an interesting delivery. He describes the treatment of (sexual) abusers of children in prison by fellow inmates to get people to think hard about the consequences of their actions but to also say that those who try to dissuade victims or their families from going to the police because of the cruel treatment an offender might be subject to in prison is an unjustified excuse. He clearly makes the point that grown-ups should know the consequences of their actions. Period.:

http://www.earthbook.tv/religion/channelhome/channelvideos/149/649/

[Rochel]

jewishwhistleblower: do you know if there is any way to watch this episode online?

Thanks for posting the links. I watched the two longer interviews (the 2nd link you posted). Daniel makes a great statement when he says "I am committed to the idea of law enforcement" in reference to rabbis that immediately side with the offender without even looking at any of the evidence. If you watch any of the crime shows on TV, they always warn that you have to let the evidence, and only the evidence, tell the story. You cannot, under any circumstances, let yourself get swayed by appearance, emotion or agenda. Daniel, an orthodox man himself who was/is involved in law enforcement, talks about how frustrated he is that he wasn't able to get rabbis to see this clearly. In a sense, the rabbis have all the power and act like judge and jury with convoluted or perverted evidence.

Both interviews, with Daniel and with Amy Neustein, are uncensored and very direct. They are able to speak openly to the incredible depth of this problem and the extent of the coverups.

Those how can view it, please report back to us on what you thought of the episode. This TV episode looks like another good step in bringing sexual abuse in our communities out into the open to be talked about.

[Alex]

I helped them with this documentary, BTW.
Posted by: Shmarya | May 15, 2011 at 01:54 AM

Of the numerous roads to hell one is marked with a sign reading, "Narcissists this way."

[A. Nuran]

Assuming he did this it would seem to be more the arrogance of power than anything else.

[tooclose2detroit]

he will apologize for his "mistake" and "lack of judgement" and serve a 6 month probation.

[WoolSilkCotton]

Mistakes were made.

I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

He said, she said.

We need to go forward from here, and everyone must move on with their lives.

There is much important work to be done, and we need to focus on the future.

God forgives those who do tshuvah, especially those with money.

I apologize for any negative feelings or misunderstands, or if anyone feels offended in any way.

[Dave]

WSC, hilarious.

I was watching a French internet radio streaming broadcast, in which the interviewee (who had written a book recently about "DSK", as they call him)
claiming that he (DSK) and his (2nd) wife have a "relation fusionnelle" which means something like an extremely close relationship; they're always together and/ or talking to each other.
That's kind of funny, because he recently had an affair with a colleague at the IMF.
Some "relation fusionnelle".

Anyway, there go his chances of being elected next president of France, or even winning the "election primaires" (primaries) of the Socialist party.

[jewishwhistleblower]

The Vision documentary focuses on 2 Rabbis, Kolko and Bryks.

http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Series+finds+abuse+hiding+many+faiths/4743470/story.html

...
No less disturbing is the Wall of Silence episode, airing May 16. As the title suggests, a community-wide cover-up takes place in Orthodox Jewish enclaves in both Brooklyn and Winnipeg, where young boys report sexual abuses allegedly committed by two rabbis. Rather than remove the accused, leaders victimize the children and their families and seek to ostracize them. Evidently, the image of the community is more important than crimes committed.

Particularly poignant is the story of Daniel Levin, son of Globe and Mail books editor Martin Levin. Traumatized by his molestation as an 8-year-old, allegedly at the hands of a Winnipeg rabbi, Daniel suffered from severe depression and later took his own life.
...

[tooclose2detroit]

not sure how people think they can get away with this, unless they do frequently.

[Isa]

Mr. Itchiemayer:

"""Can someone explain the reason for the now common occurence of hyphenated last names for men these days.

Posted by: itchiemayer | May 15, 2011 at 02:45 AM

A.I think people born in Spain or being Hispanic have this custom but w/o the hyphen

B. Blue blood custom [they also give their kids first names that could double as last names]

C. Mother is a feminist

take your pick

[Isa]

Itchiemayer:

i was wrong
It is his father's name!
From wikipedia
""Dominique Strauss-Kahn was born on 25 April 1949 in ... Paris.. . He is the son of Gilbert Strauss-Kahn, and Russian/Tunisian journalist Jacqueline Fellus. His family is of mixed Sephardic and Ashkenazic Jewish origin.""

[itchiemayer]

I kind of think male hyphenated names are kind of sissy. And what the Mayor of LA he combined his name with his wife's name displaying their great devotion to one another. And then he screws the chick from Univision not named his wife. What a jackass.

[WoolSilkCotton]

Itchie, agreed.

I don't fully understand the ways of folks from across the ocean regarding such names, but what you concluded about POS Antonio Villaraigosa is on target.

[miss understood]

It's just bizarre.
Why didn't he just hire a hooker?

[maven]

So he's an equal opportunity shonda, half Ashkenaz half Sepharad... http://www.thejc.com/lifestyle/how-jewish-is/how-jewish-dominique-strauss-kahn

[catcher50]

A. Nuran actually has hit the nail on the head. This is the arrogance of power. It is neither new, nor unique.

OTOH, I'm not sure that I'd believe the accuser without further investigation. Yes, much of the sexual predation by those in power, particularly re: those who are not able to defend themselves (whether the predators are Teachers, Rabbis, Priests, or politicians) is among the most vile and indefensible that exists. But, and it is a very big but, the charges must be properly explored. For an example of a case where there was not proper exploration, you need only check with this morning's Washington Post and the teacher who had his life ruined by false (proven in court, where a not guilty verdict was returned in 45 minutes) accusations.

[seymour]

It's just bizarre.
Why didn't he just hire a hooker?

Posted by: miss understood | May 15, 2011 at 05:04 PM

because IT IS ABOUT POWER NOT SEX

[catcher50]

Except for the trolls, this forum seems to be very good about getting it right.

Seymour is right on target. Rape, and many other sex crimes, are not about anything having to do with sex. It is purely about power.

BTW, the double last name/hyphenated last name is a fairly common thing in Latin countries. I've seen it in poor people from Central America, upper class Europeans, and American lawyers from the middle class.

[Letz]

It's nice to know that someone who carries the global recession on his shoulders can nevertheless experience inflation below the belt.

[Moshe in Israel]

I respectfully ask that Shmarya remove this article.

Aside from the fact that DSK is Jewish by birth, there is nothing substantial about his Jewishness that makes this newsworthy or relevant for FM.

Specifically, ABC news reports that:

That evening he dined on a ham and cheese sandwich with mustard purchased at a Harlem deli.

For the sake of keeping with the mission of FM to report on failings in the Frum community, please remove this article.

[Morris the Katz]

There is a better reason to remove this article. Actually, not to remove it, but to update it.

According to the NY Times, the woman who accused DSK of rape has repeatedly lied to investigators, and the case against DSK is falling apart as fast as a NY Mets lead in the NL East does in September.

A bail reduction hearing is set for tomorrow. So if Shmarya goes back in checks the old posts, maybe The Katz will get another hat tip (he prefers a treat, preferably liver).

[george]

here is one example:

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2011/07/dominique-strauss-kahn-and-reasonable-doubt/241336/

Other sites claim the amount of money was in the order of one-hundred-thousand dollars.

[Morris the Katz]

Here's the most important fact about the Dominique Strauss-Kahn case so far:

The woman, in her conversation with the criminal in jail for selling 400 pounds of weed, said that she knew of DSK's reputation in France as an abuser.

That totally conflicts with her statement to the NYPD that she'd never heard of Strauss-Kahn, and one would logically believe that an illiterate, or almost illiterate woman who emigrated to the USA from a country other than France wouldn't know the IMF from the WWE, and certainly wouldn't know about DSK's reputation as an abuser (as opposed to womanizer) which was reported in the press weeks after DSK was arrested. The woman's conversation with the jailbird was the 15th of May; Strauss-Kahn was arrested the 14th. BTW, it was the jailbird who called her, not the other way around. Prisoners aren't allowed to receive phone calls; they have to call collect.

This proves to my satisfaction that DSK was set up by persons unknown, and this maid was simply used by them. One of these "persons unknown" would have the initials "NS."

Forget the allegations that this woman is a hooker, or she lied on her visa application, or that she is a money launderer. She could be all of those things, and still have been raped.

But if she knew that DSK was an "abuser" before the media did, we know that no rape took place, and that DSK was set up. And you can bet that it wasn't by the maid.

[george]

This is how foreigners view the way US law-enforcement is so media-driven:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/04/world/europe/04france.html