I didn't know women, who participated in orgies, were prostitutes: Dominique Strauss-Kahn

Lille (France): Disgraced former International Monetary Fund (IMF) boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn told a French court on Tuesday that he was unaware that women who participated in orgies at luxury hotels in Paris and Washington DC were prostitutes. The 65-year-old and 13 co-defendants are on trial in this northern French city, accused of aggravated pimping in connection with a sex ring centered on the Hotel Carlton in Lille. [caption id=“attachment_2091577” align=“alignleft” width=“380” class=" “] Former IMF boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn. AP[/caption] In his first testimony since the trial began February 2, Strauss-Kahn reaffirmed his long-standing defence that he did not know of the “prostitutional character” of the women who took part in his orgies. Strauss-Kahn’s arrival at the courthouse was disrupted by three topless protesters from the provocative group Femen, who were detained by police. Strauss-Kahn’s chances of becoming French president were ruined over a separate sex scandal in New York. The economist, known widely as DSK, faces up to 10 years in prison and a 1.5 million-euro ($1.7 million) fine if convicted. Strauss-Kahn and the 13 other defendants are accused of operating a prostitution ring out of luxury hotels in Paris, Washington DC, Lille and Brussels. The court has so far heard testimony from some of Strauss-Kahn’s fellow defendants, who include a Belgian brothel owner, local businessmen, a police officer and hotel staff accused of organising sex parties for Strauss-Kahn’s benefit. Investigators have compiled hundreds of pages of testimony from prostitutes describing the orgies. Associated Press