Disgraced former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn faces a fresh investigation into allegations he took part in a gang rape, prosecutors have said.
Prosecutors in Lille said the preliminary probe, which opened on Monday, will look into allegations Strauss-Kahn, who is facing charges for pimping, took part in an incident "that could be described as gang rape" in Washington, America, AFP reported.
He has denied the allegations, saying in a statement released via his lawyers he "absolutely contests having committed the slightest act of violence of any nature whatsoever."
The Lille prosecutors, who are looking into the charges of aggravated primping for Strauss-Khan and two others, said new evidence indicated they could have been involved in a gang rape in Washington, in December 2010.
His lawyer said he was unaware women who were participating in sex parties had been prostitutes. "He firmly declares that he is not guilty of these acts and of never having the least inkling that the women he met could have been prostitutes."
In December, another lawyer for Strauss-Khan, Henri Leclerk, said it was hard to tell if naked women were prostitutes or not. "I defy you to tell the difference between a nude prostitute and a nude classy woman.
"Because as you can imagine, at these kinds of parties you're not always dressed."
The 63-year-old recently announced he was suing hotel maid Nafissatou Diallo who accused him of a sexual assault in May. In the million dollar lawsuit he accuses Diallo of ""knowingly and intentionally making a false report to law enforcement authorities."