The combination of sex, hotels and criminal charges seems to be a common theme in Dominique Strauss-Kahn’s world, and it has landed him in another legal mess — this time in the former IMF chief’s homeland of France, where he’s caught up in a case known there as the “Carlton affair.” –KA

BBC:

A lawyer for Dominique Strauss-Kahn has predicted a French pimping case against him will collapse and said a libertine lifestyle was not a crime.

Henri Leclerc told reporters that evidence against Mr Strauss-Kahn was “hollow” after the former IMF chief was formally placed under investigation.

Mr Strauss-Kahn admits attending sex parties but denies he knew that prostitutes were there.

Allies in the French Socialist Party have distanced themselves from him.

Mr Strauss-Kahn, 62, was released on bail of 100,000 euros (£84,000; $135,000) after questioning in the northern city of Lille.

He faces up to 20 years in prison if tried and convicted.

Last May, he resigned from the IMF after being accused of attempting to rape hotel maid Nafissatou Diallo in New York. Those charges were later dropped.

Ms Diallo, 32, is now bringing a civil case against him, which is due to start in New York on Wednesday. He has always denied any wrongdoing.

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