Four Prostitutes Withdraw Charges Against Dominique Strauss-Kahn

Feb 17, 2015 03:19 AM EST

(Photo : Reuters) Former IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn leaves his hotel to attend the trial in the so-called Carlton Affair, in Lille, February 11, 2015, where 14 people including Strauss-Kahn stand accused of sex offences including the alleged procuring of prostitutes. Strauss-Kahn is charged with "procuring with aggravating circumstances". The trial is expected to run for at least three weeks, court officials said. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes (FRANCE - Tags: CRIME LAW HEADSHOT)

Four prostitutes involved in the trial against Dominique Strauss-Kahn dropped their charges against him last Monday.

Their reason for abandoning the case was that it would be too hard to prove the pimping charge against the former head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Like Us on Facebook

The 65-year old Strauss-Kahn is being accused of initiating several parties that had involved prostitutes.

These parties were carried out between 2008 and 2011. They were being held in the French City of Lille, Brussels, Washington, and even Paris.

The sudden withdrawal of four of the accusers could indicate the efficacy of Strauss-Kahn's defense, which was that he did not know that any of the women in the parties were prostitutes in the first place.

The announcement came as a surprise since it is now the first day of the last week of the trial.

Despite several accusers dropping charges though, the case will still continue against Strauss-Kahn.

The 13 other defendants though and the other women will remain civil parties in the criminal case, said lawyer Gerald Laporte.

The accusation against Strauss-Kahn is that of pimping, defined as "procuring with aggravating circumstances."

While Strauss-Kahn is not really a "pimp," the fact that he orchestrated several parties and reportedly knew that they were prostitutes was enough said the investigating magistrates.

"The prostitutes have renounced the request of damages and interest against Dominique Strauss-Kahn, reckoning that all the elements making up the crime of aggravated procuring have not been met," Laporte, the women's lawyer said.

She also said that Strauss-Kahn did not give up during the questioning, always denying that the women had been prostitutes.

Before a series of accusations beginning in 2011, Strauss-Kahn was slated to become French president. However, a New York hotel chambermaid would bring down that dream, accusing him of sexual assault.

If Strauss-Kahn were convicted now, he would face 10 years in prison, including a fine of up to US $1.70 million.

Tagsdominique strauss-kahn, Prostitutes, Withdraw charges, IMF