Fall From Grace By Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger
The story in the news these days is the scandalous fall from grace of former International Monetary Fund Chief, Dominique Strauss-Kahn. Strauss-Kahn has been charged with sexually assaulting a maid at a NYC Hotel while in New York on a visit.
As the story is told, the maid entered the room and Strauss-Kahn emerged from the bedroom naked, threw her down and tried to sexually assault her. She broke free, escaped and reported the incident to the hotel staff who in turn called the police. Strauss-Kahn was taken off an Air France flight at John F. Kennedy International Airport by officers from Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and was turned over to police where he was questioned and sequestered to Rikers Island jail in New York for most of last week. He was held there due to the fact that he was considered a flight risk.
Yesterday, Strauss-Kahn was released on bond under the following conditions: he surrender his travel documents, submit to home detention in a Manhattan apartment, $1 Million cash bail and $5M bond. His wife, Anne Sinclair, put up the bond and will stay with him during this difficult time period.
Dominique faces two counts of criminal sexual act, two counts of sexual abuse, one count each of attempt to commit rape, unlawful imprisonment and forcible touching.
Sadly enough, the French banker has been the driving force in French politics for quite some time now as well as the brilliant leader of the IMF with a solid hold on global economics and European politics. At the time of his recent resignation due to this unfortunate incident, Strauss-Kahn was in his fourth year of a 5-year term with the global financial institution and receiving a salary of $441,980 in 2010 and receipt of $79,000 and first-class travel for him and his family while on company business. The IMF has confirmed that Strauss-Kahn will receive a $250,000 separation payment and a ‘modest annual pension’.
Since the IMF is now without a leader, they are actively pursuing completing the selection process by June 30th and filling the position soon thereafter. There is some speculation that the world’s emerging markets need to have a more active voice. Some of the potential candidates include CEO and CIO of Pimco, former head of the UN Development Programme, former Mexican Finance Minister, a member of the World Bank and Secretary to India’s Finance and Economic Ministries and Governor of the Bank of Israel. The IMF board will meet with the final candidates in Washington.
Throughout this whole tragedy, Strauss-Kahn denies the allegations and continues to plead his innocence. His next court appearance is on June 6th.
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