(20 April 2011 – Global) International Monetary Fund head Dominique Strauss-Kahn has resigned ahead of facing sexual assault and attempted rape charges.Mr Strauss-Kahn denied in his letter of resignation the allegations against him, but said he felt “compelled” to resign as managing director.
”I think at this time first of my wife – whom I love more than anything – of my children, of my family, of my friends,” he said.
”I want to protect this institution which I have served with honour and devotion, and especially – especially – I want to devote all my strength, all my time, and all my energy to proving my innocence.”
He was earlier denied bail this week by a New York judge who deemed him as a flight risk, even with his legal team offering up US$1 million (A$939,629) in cash and offering to surrender his travel documents.
The judge ordered the IMF’s managing director to remain in custody two days after he was hauled off a Paris-bound plane and accused of trying to rape a 32-year old Manhattan hotel chambermaid.
Mr Strauss-Kahn will next appear in court on Friday.
The IMF said it would communicate in ”the near future” on its process of selecting a new managing director. John Lipsky remains acting managing director.