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Dominique Strauss-Kahn verdict live: former IMF chief found not guilty of 'aggravated pimping' Dominique Strauss-Kahn verdict live: former IMF chief found not guilty of 'aggravated pimping'
(35 minutes later)
Former International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn is not guilty of “aggravated pimping”, a French court has ruled.Former International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn is not guilty of “aggravated pimping”, a French court has ruled.
A judge in Lille described Mr Strauss-Khan, commonly known as "DSK" as a "libertine" and a "customer" but said he was not a pimp. A judge in Lille described Mr Strauss-Khan, commonly known as "DSK" as a "libertine" and a "customer", but said he was not a pimp.
Prosecutors had recommended that the Parti Socialist politician not be charged. Prosecutors had recommended that the Parti Socialist politician not be charged over allegations of offences at the Carlton Hotel in Lille.
Cases against most of the 13 other defendants in the trial, which centred around allegations of prostitution at the Carlton Hotel in Lille, were also weak, the court said.Cases against most of the 13 other defendants in the trial, which centred around allegations of prostitution at the Carlton Hotel in Lille, were also weak, the court said.
Francis Hennion, the ex-director of Carlton, has been given an eight month suspended sentence and a 10,000 euro fine, while René Kojfer, former PR executive for Carlton, was given a suspended sentence of one year in prison.Francis Hennion, the ex-director of Carlton, has been given an eight month suspended sentence and a 10,000 euro fine, while René Kojfer, former PR executive for Carlton, was given a suspended sentence of one year in prison.
One man whom prosecutors had recommended a prison sentence, a Belgian brothel owner known as 'Dodo the pimp', was also found not to have committed any offences in French soil. Others, including two businessmen friends of Mr Strauss Khan, were acquitted, however.
One man for whom prosecutors had recommended a prison sentence, a Belgian brothel owner known as 'Dodo the pimp', was also found not to have committed any offences in French soil.
The verdict brings an end to a four-year legal saga which was sparked by a New York hotel maid, who accused the financier of sexual assault in 2011. The case was later settled out of court.The verdict brings an end to a four-year legal saga which was sparked by a New York hotel maid, who accused the financier of sexual assault in 2011. The case was later settled out of court.
Here is a re-cap of the trial which closed in FebruaryHere is a re-cap of the trial which closed in February
Dominique Strauss-Kahn timelineDominique Strauss-Kahn timeline
The claims that put the former IMF chief in the spotlightThe claims that put the former IMF chief in the spotlight
Strauss-Kahn 'had brutal anal sex with prostitute', trial hearsStrauss-Kahn 'had brutal anal sex with prostitute', trial hears
French press predicts acquittal of pimping chargesFrench press predicts acquittal of pimping charges
Prosecution calls for acquittal as case all but collapsesProsecution calls for acquittal as case all but collapses
Please wait a moment while the live-blog loadsPlease wait a moment while the live-blog loads
Strauss-Kahn and more than a dozen other defendants - including hotel managers, entrepreneurs, a lawyer and a police chief - are accused of participating in or organising collective sexual encounters in Paris, Washington and in the Brussels region between 2008 and 2011, when Strauss-Kahn was IMF chief, and married. Strauss-Kahn and more than a dozen other defendants - including hotel managers, entrepreneurs, a lawyer and a police chief - were accused of participating in or organising collective sexual encounters in Paris, Washington and in the Brussels region between 2008 and 2011, when Strauss-Kahn was IMF chief, and married.
He told the court that he attended the orgy-like sex parties because he needed “recreational sessions” while he was busy “saving the world” from the financial crash, and stressed he did not know the women involved were prostitutes.He told the court that he attended the orgy-like sex parties because he needed “recreational sessions” while he was busy “saving the world” from the financial crash, and stressed he did not know the women involved were prostitutes.
However, the sex workers have painted a different picture in court, with one describing the parties as “beast-like scenes”. However, the sex workers have painted a different picture in court, with one describing the parties as “beast-like scenes”. 
The sometimes tearful testimony of two prostitutes cast a harsh light on Strauss-Kahn's sometimes brutal sexual practices. But they testified that they had never told him directly about their professions.The sometimes tearful testimony of two prostitutes cast a harsh light on Strauss-Kahn's sometimes brutal sexual practices. But they testified that they had never told him directly about their professions.
If found guilty each defendant faces up to 10 years in prison and $1.5 million in fines if convicted.
But it is predicted that the Kahn will be acquitted due to limited evidence pointing to a punishable crime.
Additional reporting by PAAdditional reporting by PA