Ex-IMF chief pays maid $1.5mln to settle ‘rape case’January 21, 2013 - 16:38 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn paid a settlement of $1.5 million (1.1 million euros) to the New York hotel maid who accused him of sexual assault, a French newspaper reported, according to AFP. Citing sources close to Strauss-Kahn, Le Journal du Dimanche said Nafissatou Diallo had received the payment under a confidential deal reached to settle her civil suit against him. The newspaper said Diallo went away with about 70 percent of the sum after paying her defense team. A judge announced the deal last month, with reports at the time suggesting Strauss-Kahn had paid up to $5 million in the settlement. Diallo also received a payout from the New York Post, which she had sued for reporting that she worked as a prostitute. The incident disgraced Strauss-Kahn before a worldwide audience, forcing him to resign his IMF post and wrecking his chances of becoming French president. He was arrested after Diallo, a Guinean immigrant, claimed he had jumped on her naked and forced her to perform oral sex in his Sofitel hotel room in New York in May 2011. Strauss-Kahn admitted a sexual encounter took place but insisted it was consensual. A criminal investigation into the incident collapsed after Diallo changed her version of events, prompting the prosecution to conclude there was little chance of a conviction. Strauss-Kahn, 63, is still facing a probe in France into allegations that he was involved in procuring prostitutes, after a French court last month rejected a request for the charges to be dismissed. The case, known as the “Carlton affair” in France, centres around allegations that business leaders and police officials in Lille operated a vice ring supplying girls for sex parties, some of which are said to have taken place at the Carlton Hotel in the northern city. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |