Dominique Strauss-Kahn resigned Wednesday as head of the International Monetary Fund after being charged with sexually assaulting a maid earlier this week. “It is with infinite sadness that I feel compelled today to present to the Executive Board my resignation from my post of Managing Director of the IMF,” he said in a statement. “I think at this time first of my wife — whom I love more than anything — of my children, of my family, of my friends.”
He went on to deny “with the greatest possible firmness” the allegations made against him. Note to DSK’s famed “gang of four” PR fixers: When refuting rape allegations, you probably could have found a better noun.
Strauss-Kahn, who was on suicide watch at Rikers Island, waived his extradition rights in a bid to be released on bail. The bail application, which will be reviewed on Thursday, also stated that Strauss-Kahn would be willing to remain in Manhattan at his daughter’s apartment, wear an electronic ankle bracelet to monitor his movements, and post $1 million in cash.
The contest to succeed DSK at the IMF already has a leading contender in French finance minister Christine Lagarde. She is known for facing down the likes of Barclays CEO Robert Diamond in Davos, and the Times notes that there could hardly be a better time for the IMF to name its first female chief. There is growing pressure for the group to name a non-European for the first time since its founding after World War II, but that might be delayed until after Lagarde serves out the remainder of Strauss-Kahn’s term. Former Turkish finance minister Kemal Dervis is also a candidate to replace him.
Meanwhile, “Manhattan Madam” Kristin Davis told the Telegraph that she procured prostitutes for DSK in 2006, and one of them complained about his “rough and angry” behavior.
And in a development that is unlikely to please the French, who were outraged at his humiliating perp walk photos, the Daily News has managed to procure a photograph from Rikers of a once-dapper and now-haggard DSK wearing a “blue suicide-prevention smock that is too bulky to make into a noose and too tough to tear.”
Dominique Strauss-Kahn Resigns From I.M.F. [NYT]
A Favorite Emerges for Helm of I.M.F. [NYT]
IMF head Strauss-Kahn waives extradition rights in bail request [NYP]
IMF head ‘hired prostitutes from Manhattan madam’ [Telegraph]
Dominique Strauss-Kahn, charged with sexually assaulting hotel maid, steps down as IMF chief [NYDN]
This post has been updated with additional information.
