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Dominique Strauss-Kahn, former head of the International Monetary Fund, will be tried on “aggravated pimping” charges, stemming from alleged prostitution parties at a hotel in Lille, France. The announcement, made Friday (July 26), comes after a year-long investigation that helped lampoon Strauss’ presidential hopes.

Strauss-Kahn, 64, admitted participation in the sex parties, but claimed to be unaware of any prostitution.

Prosecutors recommended the charges be dropped, which an investigating magistrate isn’t required to follow. For his part, Strauss-Kahn was one of 12 slapped with a lesser offense of “aggravated pimping as part of a group,” as opposed to “aggravated pimping as part of an organized gang.”

The new charge carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence and a fine of 1.5 million euros ($2 million).

“This decision is based on an ideological and moral analysis, but certainly not on legal grounds,” his lawyer said of the magistrate’s reported targeting of Strauss-Kahn.

Sex scandals have followed Strauss-Kahn dating back to a 2003 incident  that could not be prosecuted due to the country’s statute of limitations equivallent. In 2011, maid Nafissatou Diallo accused him of rape, leading to his arrest New York City. The two later reached a settlement.

Two other charges, including one claiming he was involved in a Washington D.C. gang rape, were also dropped.

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