To New York now, where IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn has appeared in a Manhattan court on charges of sexually assaulting a hotel maid. The judge refused the one million US dollar bail proposed by Strauss-Kahn's defense lawyer, and despite the IMF chief's claims he's innocent.

 

No bail for International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn.

In a Manhattan courthouse a judge ordered him remanded in custody- denying the $1 million bail proposed by his defense attorneys.

Defense lawyer Ben Brafman.

Ben Brafman, Defense Attorney, said, "We are obviously disappointed by the court decision. I think it's important that you all understand that this battle has just begun. We believe and will prove in our judgment that Mr. Strauss-Kahn is innocent of these charges. We think this case is very defensible and we do not believe he has any intentions of ever fleeing the jurisdiction and his principal intention is to try and clear his name and re-establish his good name. So we are disappointed but this case has just begun."

Prosecutors expressed concerns Strauss-Kahn might flee to France if released.

Ben Brafman, Defense Attorney, said, "He is still presumed innocent and I will ask all of you to please allow him the presumption of innocence so we can hopefully still get a fair trial, when that happens. We intend to review this decision to see if it should be appealed and will be in touch in the near future."

He was pulled off a plane on Saturday and charged with a criminal sexual assault, attempted rape and unlawful imprisonment. The scandal is likely to ruin his hopes of running for president of France, and raises questions about his ability to remain in the top job at the IMF.