Strauss-Kahn freed but faces new grilling

PARIS

Former IMF Chief Strauss-Kahn faces legal proceedings next month in the US and France. AP photo

Former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn has been freed from French police custody after two days of questioning about an alleged prostitution ring, but faces further grilling next month.

 The disgraced French politician also heard Feb. 22 that the first court hearing in a U.S. civil case, brought by the New York hotel maid who alleges that he sexually assaulted her, will take place on Mar. 15. DSK, as he is known in France, will thus face legal proceedings on both sides of the Atlantic next month. A French judicial source said Strauss-Kahn, once considered a front-runner to become the next president of France, would be summoned to appear before investigating magistrates in Lille on Mar. 28 on charges linked to prostitution and corruption.

 The 62-year-old former Socialist minister was released after being detained for about 32 hours for questioning on the charges of “abetting aggravated pimping by an organized gang” and “misuse of company funds.” During his interrogation, Strauss-Kahn told investigators he did not suspect women he met at orgies were prostitutes, as they were introduced to him by senior police officers, a source close to the probe said. One of his lawyers has acknowledged Strauss-Kahn took part in orgies, but didn’t know the women attending were prostitutes. Two men with ties to Strauss-Kahn have been put under preliminary investigation on charges including organizing a prostitution ring and misuse of corporate funds.