While this story is not Friday humor, it may explain the preponderance of "erect hockeystick" formations in IMF's legacy projection charts. Former IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn is no stranger to sexual scandal - in fact Anthony Weiner may learn a thing or two from the man who once upon a time was said would be France's next president. However, being charged with "aggravated pimping" may be a new low even for DSK, or new high if in the New Normal it is finally 50 Cent who sets ethical and moral standards. The reason for the lawsuit is that during numerous sex parties which DSK had
attended in various cities over the years, there were prostitutes also
present, often times in groups.
For those confused, Reuters explains:
Investigating judges in the case determined that Strauss-Kahn, 64, should be judged by a criminal court over allegations he was complicit in a pimping operation involving prostitutes at the Carlton hotel in the northern city of Lille.
The decision was a surprise after a public prosecutor recommended in June that the inquiry be dropped without trial and it will thrust Strauss-Kahn's private life back into the spotlight just as he was putting the U.S. scandal behind him.
His lawyers said there were no legal grounds to try him and he was being targeted because of his notoriety after a New York hotel maid's charge, later dropped, that he sexually assaulted her in his suite in May 2011 when he was International Monetary Fund chief.
"No offence has been found to exist. So there can be no conviction in this affair," Frederique Baulieu, one of his lawyers, told BFM TV. "We should be focused on the law, not morality. Sadly, in this affair, investigating magistrates have been led astray by morality."
How does one define pimping in the French criminal code? As follows: "Under French law, pimping is a broad crime that encompasses aiding or encouraging prostitution." So how is aggravated pimping different besides just involving lots and lots of pimping? Per CNN, "Aggravated pimping” describes pimping with aggravating circumstances. Under the French penal code, those include prostituting a minor, involving a weapon, and—potential factors in Strauss-Kahn’s charge—using more than one prostitute and working with a group. "Aggravated pimping" is punishable by ten years in prison and 1.5 million Euro fine. Strauss-Kahn was originally under investigation for “aggravated pimping as part of an organized gang,” which can draw 20 years in prison, but the charges announced Friday are less severe.
And while the former finance minister acknowledged attending said "parties", he claims he was unaware the women taking part were paid sex workers. Back in February 2012, when DSK was arrested for his role in the prostitution ring, his lawyer Henri Leclerk had this to say to the general public: "He could easily not have known, because as you can imagine, at these kinds of parties you’re not always dressed. I challenge you to distinguish a naked prostitute from any other naked woman."
Come to think of it, he does have a point. Now if only the same defense worked for NYC mayoral candidates.