Claims fly thick and fast in IMF chief’s sex scandal
COMMENT
Claims and counterclaims concerning the alleged sexual assault and attempted rape of a hotel maid by International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, are flying thick and fast.
Latest reports say French writer Tristane Banon, 31, who claimed in 2007 that Strauss-Kahn had sexually assaulted her in 2002, plans to make a formal complaint after she had been previously persuaded not to pursue any action by her mother, her lawyer said.
On the other hand, a French radio station quoted Strauss-Kahn's defence lawyers as saying on Monday that their client had an alibi at the time of the alleged assault -- he was having lunch with his daughter.
Now, did he do it?
Though we are supposed to presume innocence until proven guilty, many people are drawing their own conclusions about what actually happened. Based on comments to news articles, most of the judgments are decidedly against the French politician.
I'm trying to keep an open mind myself, but it is difficult.
When I first heard from a friend on Sunday morning that the chief of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, had been arrested in New York, I was shocked.
Jaded though I may be about news of sexual peccadilloes among the high and mighty, I was nevertheless stunned when I read the reports on just how serious the allegations were.
Also, as a financial journalist, I have covered both the IMF and the World Bank before, and they are relatively staid organizations that only seem exciting when taking a role in a financial crisis.
The police statements about the maid's account and that Strauss-Kahn appeared to have left the hotel in a hurry seem particularly damning. It must have also taken a lot of courage for the maid to report that she had been the victim of sexual violence.
The 32-year-old maid, whose name has been withheld, told authorities that when she entered Strauss-Kahn's room, she thought the suite was empty but that he emerged from the bathroom naked, chased her down a hallway, pulled her into a bedroom and dragged her into a bathroom, police said.
"He grabbed her breasts, tried to pull down her pantyhose, grabbed at her crotch and forced her to perform oral sex on him during the encounter at about noon," according to a court complaint cited by AP newswire.
She ultimately broke free, escaped the room and told hotel staffers what had happened, authorities said.
Thus, at first blush, one could easily believe something bad had indeed taken place. However, as I began to read more, skepticism began to take hold.
Given that Strauss-Kahn was the frontrunner among potential candidates for president of France, the possibility of a set-up cannot be discounted.
The day before his arrest, a political ally had said that the IMF chief and former French finance minister was the target of a smear campaign. Also, many had predicted the election campaign in France would get dirty.
More news has since emerged. Strauss-Kahn will plead not guilty, says his lawyer. His wife, former popular weekly TV host Anne Sinclair, is also standing by her husband of twenty years.
She said, "I do not believe for one second the accusations brought against my husband. I have no doubt his innocence will be established."
One thing for certain though is that his reputation has put him in a really tough spot.
Strauss-Kahn's extravagant lifestyle and romantic persuasions have never been in doubt. His dalliances have earned him the nickname of "The Great Seducer". In 2008, it surfaced that he had been having a consensual affair with a subordinate. He apologised for it and the IMF let it go at that.
The 62-year-old socialist and economist has also grabbed attention for swanky flats in Paris, supposedly expensive tailored suits and high-living. Sofitel, the hotel where the alleged incident took place, costs US$3,000 per night.
That brings us up to the latest claims and counter-claims. His lawyer will try to salvage his client's reputation by focusing on the credibility of the maid and may even try to show political manipulation was behind the maid's claim.
As for now, little is known about the maid except that she "has been a satisfactory employee of the hotel for the past three years."
The prosecutors, meanwhile, are likely to allege that Strauss-Kahn has had a history of violence against women. And if more women like the French writer come out of the woodwork against Strauss-Kahn, the public damage to his reputation will be irreparable.
Indeed, regardless of the verdict, Strauss-Kahn's political career is likely to be over. The alleged offence stands so far in a league of its own against other past scandals of public figures that it cannot be overlooked. France's Socialist Party will have to look for another candidate to go up against French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
In the larger scheme of things, the scandal means the world will be losing one of the leaders in the effort to maintain global economic stability. Strauss-Kahn was expected to continue playing a key role in multilateral initiatives to provide financial support to ailing European nations and thus keep business confidence propped up. One of the principal architects of the Greek economic bailout, he was supposed to help hammer out another financial restructuring for the country.
The scandal may also mean a deeper, personal kind of loss -- a further erosion of faith in leaders and politicians. The dramatic uprisings and changes to governments in different parts of the world may have brought a sense of hope to people, but incidents like these will serve as a reminder why perhaps we should not dare to hope too much.
