Ex-IMF chief Dominque Strass-Kahn insists he 'only went to four orgies a year'

FORMER world finance chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn "only went to four orgies a year", a court heard today.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn is accused of 'aggravated pimping'AP

Dominique Strauss-Kahn is accused of 'aggravated pimping'

The former head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), who was once tipped as a future French president, is currently on trial charged with "aggravated pimping" for hiring prostitutes to attend orgies at locations around the world.

Today he told a court in the French city of Lille that although he did attend sex parties, he had "no idea" that the women – some of whom were up to 40 years his junior - were being paid.

Strauss-Kahn, 65, said: "When you read the criminal complaint you get the impression it was this frenetic activity.

"But it was four times a year, not more than that. It wasn't this out-of-control activity that the complaint suggests." 

He said that at the time he was taking part in the orgies, he still had "political ambitions".

A former prostitute, nicknamed Jade, told the court she was hired for sex parties attended by the top economist.

She described one orgy as "carnage with a heap of mattresses on the floor".

A Femen activist is carried away by police outside the courtAP

A Femen activist is carried away by police outside the court

It was four times a year, not more than that

Dominique Strauss-Kahn

The court also heard that a woman, identified only as Sylvie, told police Strauss-Kahn pledged to reward her with presents and sex games rather than cash if she became his regular mistress.

The promises included Strauss-Kahn taking her to the Bois de Boulogne woods in Paris, blindfolding her, and watching her having sex with other men.

At the time Strauss-Kahn was married to the multi-millionaire art heiress and journalist Anne Sinclair, 66, who divorced him last year.

Strauss-Kahn and 13 co-defendants are on trial in connection with a sex ring centred on the Hotel Carlton in Lille.

They face up to ten years in prison and fines of up to a £1.3 million each if convicted of organising the global vice ring.

It is not illegal to pay for sex in France, but it's against the law to solicit or to run a prostitution business.

Strauss-Kahn's arrival at the courthouse was disrupted by three topless protestors from radical protest group Femen.

The former university professor had appeared set to become France's head of state before he was struck by two separate sex scandals.

The trial continues.

Topless protesters jump on Strauss-Kahn s car at France trial

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