Strauss-Kahn Arraigned on Sex Assault Charges

ABC News reports:

International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn allegedly forced a New York City hotel housekeeper to perform oral sex and submit to anal sex, in addition to allegedly attempting to rape her, according to a complaint filed today by the office of Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance.

The complaint charges Strauss-Kahn with two counts of criminal sexual acts in the first degree, one count of attempted rape, sexual abuse in the first degree, unlawful imprisonment, sexual abuse in the third degree and forcible touching.

The complaint says he forcibly touched the housekeeper's breasts, attempted to pull off her panty hose, twice "forcibly made contact with his penis and the informant's mouth" and that "the defendant engaged in oral sexual conduct and anal sexual conduct with another person by forcible compulsion."

Strauss-Kahn sat briefly next together alleged criminals at the Criminal Court building at 100 Centre Street this morning who were brought in to be arraigned on such charges as crack possession or trespassing.

Looking haggard and wearing a raincoat over the clothing he has worn since his arrest Saturday evening, Strauss-Kahn spent a few moments in court before court officers removed him to a holding pen in the back as the judge, Melissa Jackson, worked her way through a docket that included no other bold-face names.

Strauss-Kahn has yet to enter a plea, but his attorney, Ben Brafman, told the court today that his client had a "very important" incentive to clear his name.

He added that it was inaccurate to say Strauss-Kahn rushed to the airport, where he was sitting on an airplane when he was arrested. Brafman said his client had been at a several-hours-long lunch appointment between the time of the alleged incident and the flight from Kennedy Airport.

Brafman also argued that the evidence was inconsistent with a forced encounter. He said his client was willing to stay with his daughter, who lives in New York City, as he defends himself against the charges, but the district attorney had asked that he be held in jail.

The IMF head and possible contender for the French presidency was arrested Saturday after a New York hotel maid went to police, alleging that she was assaulted in Strauss-Kahn's luxury hotel suite.