Strauss-Kahn Moves to New Housing in NYC

Embattled economist under house arrest in $50,000 per month apartment.

ByABC News
May 26, 2011, 5:49 AM

May 26, 2011— -- Former head of the International Monetary Fund Dominique Strauss-Kahn has found a new home -- a four-bedroom brick town house in lower Manhattan, where he will remain under house arrest and tight security while he waits to be tried for the alleged rape of a hotel maid earlier this month, according to officials.

Strauss-Kahn, who resigned from his position as head of the IMF last week after a grand jury in New York indicted him on seven charges, was moved late Wednesday. The new apartment is about one mile away from the luxury high-rise near Wall Street where he was staying following his release on $1 million.

The new residence, a red brick four- bedroom townhouse in New York's exclusive Tribeca neighborhood, is located on a cobblestone street and has five bathrooms, according to the Associated Press. It is also conveniently located near the courthouse where Strauss-Kahn will be tried for the sexual assault of a hotel maid at the Sofitel in midtown Manhattan on May 14.

Attorney William Taylor told reporters Wednesday that Strauss-Kahn, who is often referred to simply as "DSK" was "doing fine" while awaiting trial under house arrest.

"Not much he can do," Taylor said Wednesday.

Strauss-Kahn's new accommodations, which were confirmed by the court on Wednesday, were approved by a judge, according to spokesman David Bookstaver.

This is the second time Strauss-Kahn has had to move since his release from New York's Rikers Island prison facility. An Upper East Side apartment building where he had intended to remain on house arrest refused to accept him because of unwanted media attention.

The new townhouse where the embattled economist will be staying was reportedly listed online by Town Residential at $50,000 per month, and for sale at $13,995,000, according to the Associated Press.

The luxury accommodations include a state-of-the-art theater, gym, spa, and the four bathrooms have jetted tubs and steam showers. According to the listing the home was remodeled with only "the finest materials and craftsmanship."

A grand jury indicted the one-time French presidential contender on seven counts, which carry up to 25 years in prison, including charges of criminal sexual assault, attempted rape and sexual abuse.

Law enforcement officials say that on May 14 Strauss-Kahn came out of his $3,000-a-night suite's bathroom naked and attempted to rape the 32-year-old West African woman who was cleaning it.

The district attorney says the forensic evidence appears to be consistent with her account.

The alleged victim in the case has gone into hiding.

"I deny in the strongest possible terms the allegations which I now face; I am confident that the truth will come out and I will be exonerated," Strauss-Kahn wrote in an email to his former colleagues, which was confirmed authentic by ABC News.com.