Former head of the IMF and potential president of France Dominique Strauss-Kahn conducted his first interview since his arrest on May 14 for allegedly sexually assaulting a hotel maid at the Sofitel. "What happened was more than an inappropriate reaction. It was an error," he said. "I regret it infinitely."
Strauss-Kahn, speaking to French television station TF1, maintained that maid Nafissatou Diallo "lied" about the forcible nature of the encounter, and claimed that it was consensual. The Manhattan DA's office dropped the sexual assault case against Strauss-Kahn due to issues concerning Diallo's credibility. He had stronger words for French journalist Tristane Banon, who is accusing him of trying to rape her in 2002: "no act of aggression, no violence" took place between the two, Strauss-Kahn said. He told the police that he had attempted to kiss her, and that was all.
Banon's own mother had sex with Strauss-Kahn, and said that he "took me with the vulgarity of a soldier," but discouraged her daughter from reporting Strauss-Kahn because it she said it would taint her career forever. Asked if he would pursue politics, Strauss-Kahn said he needed to "take time to reflect…but all my life was consecrated to being useful to the public good. We will see."
Diallo is currently suing Strauss-Kahn in a civil action in the Bronx, while French prosecutors are still weighing Banon's charges.
