Strauss-Kahn: ‘Regrets’ Sex with NY Hotel Maid, No Violence Involved

Posted September 18th, 2011 at 4:37 pm (UTC-5)
Leave a comment

The former head of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, has told French television he regrets having sex with a New York hotel maid, but he calls her rape charge a lie.

Strauss-Kahn gave his first television interview Sunday since New York police arrested him in May. He was interviewed on TF1 television by a journalist who is a friend of his wife.

Strauss-Kahn said his encounter with the maid was consensual, insisting there was no aggression or violence involved. He called the incident a moral failing.

The former IMF chief also denied allegations by French writer Tristane Banon, who says he tried to rape her in 2003. He called that charge “imaginary,” saying their encounter also was consensual.

Strauss-Kahn told the interviewer he has clearly ruled out a run for the French presidency next year. He called his political future uncertain.

New York prosecutors dropped the rape charges against Strauss-Kahn, but he still faces a civil case by the maid, who is from the African nation of Guinea.