Photo of the Day: Dominique Strauss-Kahn, sexual offender

By Michael J.W. Stickings

That's IMF chief and leading French politician Dominique Strauss-Kahn waiting to be arraigned yesterday in a New York courtroom.

There was a lot of talk he could beat Sarkozy next year and become France's next president. Now he's being held without bail at Rikers Island on charges of sexual assault, forcible confinement, and attempted rape:

Prosecutors had asked the Criminal Court judge, Melissa C. Jackson, to remand Mr. Strauss-Kahn, 62, contending that he was a flight risk. They also indicated that he may have been previously involved in a similar episode.

"Some of this information includes reports he has in fact engaged in conduct similar to the conduct alleged in this complaint on at least one other occasion," said Artie McConnell, an assistant district attorney, adding that the other occasion, which occurred outside the United States, was still being investigated.

In opposing bail, prosecutors highlighted the serious nature of the allegations.

"The defendant restrained a hotel employee inside of the room," Mr. McConnell said. "He sexually assaulted her and attempted to forcibly rape her," and when that failed, Mr. McConnell said, he forced her to perform oral sex.

Strauss-Kahn still has his defenders in France, of course, and some of them are alleging entrapment or otherwise that the police account isn't accurate. Maybe so. He's innocent until proven guilty, let us not forget, and he'll have his day in court to tell his side of the story. We shouldn't rush to judgement.

But, seriously, it doesn't look good, does it?