IMF chief charged with attempted rape

http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0515/strausskahnd.html

The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss Kahn, has been charged with attempted rape in New York.

Prosecutors also charged him with committing a criminal sexual act and with unlawful imprisonment.

Mr Strauss-Kahn, 62, is expected to be brought before a state court judge later today.

His attorney, Benjamin Brafman, said in an email to Reuters that his client would plead not guilty.

The investigation began when a maid at the Sofitel New York hotel in Manhattan alleged she was assaulted.

The maid claimed the incident occurred when the IMF chief got out of his shower naked.

The IMF said its number two official, John Lipsky, will step in as acting managing director.

IMF spokesman William Murray said Mr Lipsky will meet with members of the IMF board today to inform them of developments.