Trial to Begin for Dominique Strauss-Kahn in Prostitution Case

PARIS — Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the former head of the International Monetary Fund, is to stand trial on Monday on accusations that he participated in a prostitution ring that extended from the north of France to Brussels, Washington and New York.

In a case that has riveted France, Mr. Strauss-Kahn, 65, who was once seen as a presidential contender, stands accused in Lille, France, with 13 other defendants, including Dominique Alderweireld, a sex club owner known as Dodo la Saumure. Mr. Strauss-Kahn, a silver-haired economist, is charged with “aggravated procurement in a group,” or pimping, and using his subordinates to obtain prostitutes for lavish sex parties.

If convicted, Mr. Strauss-Kahn could face up to 10 years in prison and fines of more than 1.5 million euros, or $1.7 million.

The New York Times