Trial casts shadow over IMF’s Lagarde

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde speaks during a press conference on "Joint Action Against Tax Fraud and Money Laundering-Transparency at the Global Level," during the IMF and World Bank Group 2016 Spring Meetings on April 14, 2016 in Washington, DC. (AFP PHOTO: MOLLY RILEY)

IMF chief Christine Lagarde (pictured) goes on trial on Monday for her role in a $425 million state payout to businessman Bernard Tapie in 2008 when she was France’s finance minister.

The case has cast a rare shadow over Lagarde, who is widely respected in policy circles for helping the International Monetary Fund turn the page after her predecessor Dominique Strauss-Kahn resigned in 2011 facing sex assault charges.