Former International Monetary Fund managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn, appeared in court in New York on Monday and pleaded not guilty to sex charges.
He was arrested on 14 May at John F Kennedy airport after an incident involving a hotel employee at a hotel in New York.
Mr Strauss-Kahn, 62, is charged with a criminal sexual act, attempted rape, sex abuse, unlawful imprisonment and forcible touching. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
He arrived at the court walking arm-in-arm with his wife, French television journalist Anne Sinclair. They were accompanied by two private security guards hired to prevent him from jumping bail.
Outside court, the woman's lawyer said his client just wants justice.
Defence lawyer Benjamin Brafman said he will argue that any contact with the maid was consensual.
Mr Strauss-Kahn is under house arrest in a heavily-guarded townhouse. He will appear in court again on 18 July.
