Former International Monetary Fund leader Dominique Strauss-Kahn was believed to be heading to his n
(6 Jan 2012) HEADLINE: Strauss-Kahn believed to be on Paris-bound plane --------------------------------------- CAPTION: Former International Monetary Fund leader Dominique Strauss-Kahn was believed to be heading to his native France, leaving the United States behind after the sexual assault case against him fell apart. (Sept. 3) ---------------------------------------- VOICEOVER: DOMINIQUE STRAUSS-KAHN MAY HAVE LEFT THE UNITED STATES BEHIND...THE FORMER IMF CHIEF IS BELIEVED TO BE ON HIS WAY TO HIS NATIVE FRANCE--AFTER NEW YORK'S SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE AGAINST HIM COLLAPSED... THE CHARGES-- HIS TIME BEHIND BARS-- AND HIS TIME ON HOUSE ARREST--COST HIM HIS JOB AND A RUN AT THE FRENCH PRESIDENCY. STRAUSS-KAHN AND HIS WIFE ARE BELIEVED TO BE ON A FLIGHT FROM NEW YORK TO PARIS. NEW YORK PROSECUTORS DROPPED THE CHARGES LAST WEEK.THEY SAY DNA EVIDENCE SHOWS STRAUSS-KAHN AND A HOTEL MAID HAD A SEXUAL ENCOUNTER. BUT THEY DOUBT NAFISSATOU DIALLO (na-fee-SAH'-too dee-AH'-loh) CREDIBILITY-- AFTER DISCOVERING INCONSISTENCIES IN DIALLO'S ALLEGATIONS AND HER BACKGROUND. STRAUSS-KAHN'S LAWYERS SAY THE SEXUAL ENCOUNTER WAS CONSENSUAL AND STRAUSS-KAHN DENIES DIALLO'S ALLEGATIONS...SHE HAS VOWED TO CONTINUE WITH A CIVIL LAWSUIT AGAINST HIM . UNTIL HIS ARREST, THE FORMER IMF CHIEF WAS CONSIDERED A FRONT-RUNNER IN THE RACE FOR THE FRENCH PRESIDENCY--EXPECTED TO TAKE ON CURRENT FRENCH PRESIDENT NICOLAS SARKOZY... OBSERVERS IN FRANCE DON'T EXPECT STRAUSS-KAHN TO RETURN TO THE POLITICAL ARENA ANYTIME SOON...FRENCH AUTHORITIES ARE INVESTIGATING A DIFFERENT SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE AGAINST HIM...AFTER HE WAS ARRESTED IN NEW YORK-- A FRENCH NOVELIST WENT TO POLICE WITH ALLEGATIONS THAT HE TRIED TO RAPE HER IN 2002. STRAUSS-KAHN'S LAWYERS HAVE CALLED THE ALLEGATIONS "IMAGINARY." THE ASSOCIATED PRESS DOES NOT NAME PEOPLE WHO REPORT BEING SEXUALLY ASSAULTED UNLESS THEY AGREE TO BE IDENTIFIED OR COME FORWARD PUBLICLY. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
