IMF chief to appear in New York court in sexual assault case

IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn today consented to medical examination as he prepared to answer charges in court that he sexually assaulted a hotel maid here in a case that has ravaged his reputation and sent tremors in French politics.

Strauss-Kahn, a likely French presidential candidate for 2012, was picked up out of a police lineup by the chambermaid last night, who has accused him of molesting her, according to media reports.

The 62-year-old IMF chief, who was handcuffed and looked shaken, has denied the allegations and agreed for a medical examination over charges of serious sexual assault.

Billed as the man who could hand out a poll defeat to French President Nicholas Sarkozy, Strauss-Kahn was made to deboard a Paris-bound flight and arrested yesterday by the New York police which said he had no diplomatic immunity.

If convicted, Strauss-Kahn, father of four children, could face a prison term of 15 to 20 years.

New York Times reported that his DNA evidence has been taken from his $3000 a day hotel suite.

The French financial wizard's arraignment was put off for a day after he agreed to forensic testing requested by the police as his attorney Benjamin Brafman vowed that his client proposed to fight charges of sexual assault.

"Our client has willingly consented to a scientific and forensic examination," his lawyer William W Taylor III said.

Wearing a black overcoat over a blue shirt and black trousers, Strauss-Kahn avoided looking at the cameras as he walked to a police car.

The maid, who has not been named by the police, said she had entered the spacious Sofitel hotel suite thinking it was unoccupied when Strauss-Kahn sprang on her naked from the bathroom, ran after her and dragged her into his bedroom before assaulting her.

He then dragged her into the bathroom where he forced himself on her again before she broke free, the maid told the police.

New York Police alleged that following the assault in the Manhattan hotel, Strauss-Kahn quickly headed off to New York airport to board a Paris-bound flight but left his cellphone behind.

The IMF chief called the hotel from the airport, inquiring about the phone, and this helped police track him to the first class section of the Paris-bound flight.

He was charged with attempted rape, sexual assault and unlawful imprisonment.

As he prepares to answer the charges here, a French journalist-writer back home said she was working to slap a similar complaint against the likely candidate for 2012 presidential race in France.