Strauss-Kahn tells IMF staff he's innocent

NEW YORK, May 23 (UPI) -- Dominique Strauss-Kahn, charged with sexually assaulting a New York hotel maid, proclaims his innocence in an e-mail message to colleagues revealed Monday.

The message also tells how he regretfully left his job as head of the International Monetary Fund.

The Frenchman's interim successor as head of the IMF, John Lipsky, forwarded the e-mail to his staff Sunday, and CNN got hold of it.

Strauus-Kahn writes, "I deny in the strongest possible terms the allegations which I now face," but he could not "accept that the fund -- and you dear colleagues -- should in any way have to share my own personal nightmare. So, I had to go."

Strauss-Kahn was freed from jail Friday after being charged with assaulting the woman.

The IMF was to begin taking nominations for his replacement Monday, with Europe, which has always held the top post, facing off against the developing world.

Most European countries are backing French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde.

Mexico will nominate its central bank chief, Agustin Carstens, the state news agency Notimex reported Sunday. Former South African Finance Minister Trevor Manuel also has been touted.