Court delays ruling on Strauss-Kahn probe

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DOUAI, France, Nov. 28 (UPI) -- A French court delayed ruling whether to end its investigation of former International Monetary Fund head Dominique Strauss-Kahn in a prostitution ring case.

The appeals court in Douai said Wednesday it postponed its decision until Dec. 19 on an appeal from Strauss-Kahn's lawyers, The New York Times reported.

Strauss-Kahn's attorneys argued the investigation into their client's participation in sex parties across the globe was flawed because he didn't know that prostitutes were involved and that investigators failed to turn over all their information. The appeal also was for several other men who are suspects in procuring prostitutes for sex parties.

Strauss-Kahn was part of an investigation of a prostitution ring that organized elite sex parties. French officials are investigating nine people on charges of organized pandering and fraud. In October, prosecutors in Lille dropped rape charges against Strauss-Kahn after a prostitute who participated in a sex party in Washington withdrew her complaint.

If Strauss-Kahn's appeal is denied, his lawyers have other avenues, including appealing to a higher court in France and the European Court of Human Rights, the Times said.

Strauss-Kahn resigned as IMF chief last year after he was arrested on accusations he sexually assaulted a New York hotel maid. The charges eventually were dropped.