IMF investigating director over allegations of abusing power
18-10-2008
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has confirmed it has launched an investigation into whether director, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, abused his power while involved in a relationship with a subordinate.
The investigation was launched at the request of governing board member Shakour Shaalan of Egypt.
Mr Shaalan "asked external counsel to conduct an independent investigation and determine the validity of the allegations," an IMF spokesman told the AFP news agency.
"All allegations - particularly those involving senior management - are taken extremely seriously."
The Wall Street Journal claims the investigation will focus on Mr Strauss-Kahn's relationship with Piroska Nagy, a married former senior official in the IMF's Africa department.
It will examine whether she got a larger severance package than otherwise would have been expected when she left her position in August.
In response to the reports, Mr Strauss-Kahn released a statement saying: "The IMF is examining an incident which occurred in my private life in January 2008.
"I have cooperated and am continuing to cooperate with outside counsel to the Fund concerning this matter.
"At no time did I abuse my position as the Fund's managing director."