First, his presidential ambition was dashed in 2011 as a result of an alleged sexual assault on a New York hotel maid. Four years after, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, ex-IMF chief, faces a three-weektrial in Lille,northern France, for allegedly running a pimping ringin Paris, Lille, Brussels,Washington and New Yorkfrom 2008 to 2011, according to BBC.

If convicted Strauss-Kahn facesup to 10 years in jail and a fine of up to €1.5 million for charges of"aggravated pimping in an organised group."

According to the report, the 65 years old former presidential hopeful admitted attending sex parties but says he did not know that some of the women were prostitutes. The case is the latest sex-related allegation to trouble Mr. Strauss-Kahn.

He stepped down as International Monetary Fund leader after being accused of attempted rape by a hotel maid in New York in 2011. The charges were eventually dropped, and Mr. Strauss-Kahn reached a settlement with the maid, Nafissatou Diallo.

Two other cases against him, concerning allegations of sexual assault and gang rape, have already been dropped. On Monday (today) he will appear in court along with 13 others, including the owner of a brothel known as "Dodo the Pimp" a well known barrister.

Prosecutors claims that Strauss-Kahn took part in, and mayevenhave organised, parties held in Belgium, France and the U.S. where female escorts were paid to have sex with guests, himself included.

His lawyers argue that although he has admitted attending these parties, but he was completely unaware that many of the women involved were paid prostitutes.

•Photo shows Dominic Strauss-Kahn.