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Crisis Management for Dominique Strauss-Kahn

The New York Times profiles Anne Sinclair, wife of Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who is not only a famous television personality in France, but an heiress.

It's a good thing for DSK she's an heiress. In addition to being able to foot the bill for hefty legal fees, New York apartments and $200,000 a month to the private security company guarding DSK while on bond, there may be the fees of a crisis management firm, called TDI, based in Washington, D.C.

TDI is composed of former CIA agents and diplomats. What exactly might they do? Here's what they said they did for an African politican: [More...]

TDI worked in concert with a major European public relations firm to provide strategic advisory services to an influential African politician who had been denied entry to several Western countries. TDI prepared presentations to senior government officials that provided a more complete understanding of the events that had led to the client’s visa denials. TDI also connected the politician to expert legal representation in Washington and worked with counsel on developing the subsequent legal strategy.

Finally, TDI developed an interactive website – complete with original documents, photographs and previously unpublished information that refuted many of the charges that had been made against the client by political opponents and economic competitors.

Will there be a DSK website? Will their agents be scouring Guinea for information on DSK's accuser?

As to 71 Broadway where DSK is currently being held, it sounds like an upscale, community living facility. According to another man on bond living there:

"He's an OK guy," said Andrew Auernheimer, 26, (pictured) who claims that DSK lives on the fourth floor of the Empire Building at 71 Broadway, where "eight or nine other guys are all in the same situation." "We're all like one big Breakfast Club in there," he said.

"I saw the guy coming in . . . with guards. . . and roaming the hallway and I invited the guy in and introduced him to a few people.

Auernheimer, accusing of computer hacking, is represented by the public defender, meaning he is indigent. He is not on house arrest and his bond conditions make no reference to electronic monitoring. Kind of curious that he's in the same place as DSK, with the ability to hang out with him and the other guys.

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  • Display: Sort:
    There is a crisis management situation in France, (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by Gerald USN Ret on Sat May 21, 2011 at 07:33:47 PM EST
    In France the feminists are outraged.  Some journalist/poet or something referred to this situation as (paraphrase here) nothing more than the usual situation of a "master" using the "domestic" help.  Like what was the big deal!

    A close friend to DSK and Ms Sinclair apologized for that allusion.

    Women in general in France seem to be standing up and saying something like 'Why is this sh*t still going on?'

    I've been reading around the French (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by Militarytracy on Sat May 21, 2011 at 08:04:18 PM EST
    sites and I'm reading that too.  A French actress said on the tube as well, "Who hasn't been cornered by DSK?"  The journalist that he assaulted in 2002 and then it was covered up, that really seems to have the younger women in France really really ticked about this whole situation.

    Parent
    From what I gather in reading too (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by Militarytracy on Sat May 21, 2011 at 08:08:06 PM EST
    I don't know that his marriage will survive this if women in France throw down the gauntlet on this.  His wife simply doesn't want to talk about his problems but I don't think they can be swept under any rug anymore.  She doesn't strike me as someone who can survive this staying with him if it gets really bad.  She wants a blissful unknowing, but if people are shunning you that's over with.

    Parent
    Could you be thinking of (none / 0) (#12)
    by Nemi on Sun May 22, 2011 at 05:17:44 AM EST
    Strauss-Kahn's friend Bernard-Henri Lévy?
    Some journalist/poet or something...

    (From the portrait of him I take it that he wouldnt be pleased with your ignorant description of him, lol.)

    Parent
    And these people will help, how? (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by Mitch Guthman on Sat May 21, 2011 at 09:26:21 PM EST
    I'm not sure what the point of this actually is. If I were hiring a public relations firm for this trial I'd chose a local outfit that could help with getting my message out to public opinion and the  jury pool in NY.  Besides which, I would imagine that a public relations firm composed mainly of ex-CIA men is laboring under a pretty serious handicap to begin with.  

    I just love the reference (none / 0) (#1)
    by Peter G on Sat May 21, 2011 at 12:49:37 PM EST
    to "The Breakfast Club". Perfect.

    Seems a tad late to hire "crisis" mgt. (none / 0) (#2)
    by oculus on Sat May 21, 2011 at 12:51:11 PM EST
    now, but who knows.  Also, privilege re communications with this new firm.  

    Watch out, Miss Doe... (none / 0) (#3)
    by Addison on Sat May 21, 2011 at 02:47:58 PM EST
    This firm seems to do both crisis management and in-depth risk assessment, occasionally bordering on opposition research. If I were the alleged victim's attorney, I would advise everyone around her not to talk to anyone they've just met about anything.

    How scummy (none / 0) (#4)
    by Militarytracy on Sat May 21, 2011 at 06:57:37 PM EST


    DSK on powl at hotel??? (none / 0) (#8)
    by MO Blue on Sat May 21, 2011 at 09:15:48 PM EST
    Dominique Strauss-Kahn allegedly was looking for love, or at least his version of it, from the moment he checked into his hotel in New York City last Friday, May 13. As soon as he got to his suite, 2806, he called back down to the front desk and asked the receptionist if she would like to join him for a drink, according to sources familiar with the prosecution's case against the former head of the International Monetary Fund and contender for the presidency of France. The receptionist demurred. link


    A further read (none / 0) (#10)
    by Gerald USN Ret on Sun May 22, 2011 at 04:23:53 AM EST
    had Ms Sinclair saying after the case about 2 to 3 years ago that did surface where though the act was consensual and DSK had sex with a subordinate.  He was censured somewhat for that, kind of a limp slap across his wrist but he kept his job.
    The subordinate said she had been continually pressured by "the big boss."  And this was quite public.  This seems to quite de rigeur in France and ok as long as no major bones are broken.

    On that occasion, Ms Sinclair said, (again paraphrase) that other women didn't matter as long as they (she and DSK) both were still attracted to each other.  

    Now this statement on my part is pure conjecture. Maybe Ms Sinclair had her share of young French pool boys, and TV Station interns where she worked.

    I think Bohemian is the word!

    I could see a Fellini type movie in the works, or at least maybe a Woody Allen.  Maybe a nice vehicle for Lindsay Lohan.

    And don't forget (none / 0) (#11)
    by Nemi on Sun May 22, 2011 at 05:10:22 AM EST
    how former president Mitterand's lover and their mutual daughter attended his funeral standing side by side with his "legitimate" widow and their child(ren?).

    I guess to some (in France) Strauss-Kahn's behaviour is just some kind of "business as usual"?

    Parent

    There is a difference between (5.00 / 4) (#13)
    by Militarytracy on Sun May 22, 2011 at 07:38:58 AM EST
    having an affair and forcing yourself upon people.

    Parent
    Agreed. (5.00 / 2) (#14)
    by KeysDan on Sun May 22, 2011 at 08:55:50 AM EST
    And a fundamental  point  in this case that seems to be getting blurred in some quarters.     The  DSK complaint involves  the very serious crimes of violent sexual assault--- not a charge of hitting on someone, sexual harassment or an illicit affair.

    Parent
    Absolutely! (none / 0) (#15)
    by Nemi on Sun May 22, 2011 at 03:24:32 PM EST
    My comment was ment as a reference to Ms Sinclair apparently being ok with her husband having affairs as long as she and he still felt mutual attraction.

    Parent
    DSK seems to have had a lot of people (none / 0) (#16)
    by Militarytracy on Mon May 23, 2011 at 07:56:56 AM EST
    calling sexual assault seduction, to include his wife.  Bodily cornering women is seduction?  Trying to physically remove someone's clothing against their will is seducing someone?  This is where the lines seem like they are blurry for some people.  DSK has been having sexual boundary problems for a long time, but people in various countries and organizations kept trying to label him as a lover instead of a predator...this is where I see a lot of blurry.  No wonder the women in France are having the uprising they are over this, enough is enough.

    Parent