With Defense Like This, Who Needs Prosecutors

French economist and politician Dominique Strauss-Kahn can't seem to stay out of the news -- or a few other things -- according to the latest reports. When he was arrested in New York on accusations of raping a hotel maid (Strauss-Kahn claimed that he had had a "moral failing" with the maid, but insisted he had not forced her) many in Europe worried that American prudery had caused a rush to judgement. Now French police have brought Strauss-Kahn in for questioning on charges of being involved with an international prostitution ring.

According to French news reports, Mr. Strauss-Kahn allegedly was invited to parties by the prostitution ring that took place in Paris as well as in Washington—with the last one taking place in the U.S. capital just days before Mr. Strauss-Kahn's ill-fated trip to New York. The reports allege the expenses were covered by the prostitution ring.

A person familiar with the matter confirmed that "prostitutes were brought from France for these parties," saying there were at least "three trips to the U.S. which were for orgies." The person said the "last trip was just before the Sofitel case."

Paying prostitutes isn't illegal in France, but encouraging prostitution by offering them to others and using corporate funds to pay for them is.

Mr. Strauss-Kahn's lawyers have stated repeatedly their client wished to be heard by Lille prosecutors "as quickly as possible," saying they wanted to put an end to a "press lynching." His lawyers weren't available to comment Tuesday.

In a colorful exchange in a recent radio interview, one of Mr. Strauss-Kahn's lawyers, Henri Leclerc, said the former IMF chief wasn't aware that the women at these parties were prostitutes. "He could well have not realized it, because you see, in these parties, one is not necessarily clothed and I challenge you to tell a naked prostitute from a naked worldly woman," Mr. Leclerc told Europe 1 radio.

Really, Monsieur should fire his legal counsel if they are going to suggest that he is so unworldy as not to be aware of these fine distinctions. What will they suggest next, that he can't tell good wine from bad when it's not in the bottle?