Archive · 26 Aug 2026
'Dodo the Pimp' Dies at 77 After Carlton Trial
Dominique Alderweireld was a French businessman who ran hostess bars in Belgium.
People nicknamed him “Dodo the Pimp.”
He became well known because of a prostitution trial involving former politician Dominique Strauss-Kahn.
The case concerned sex parties connected to the Carlton hotel in Lille, France.
Alderweireld said the women working in his bars were freelancers.
He also said he did not earn money from the parties.
A court acquitted both men in 2015.
Alderweireld died at age 77 in Belgium after suffering from heart failure.
Dominique Alderweireld, known as “Dodo the Pimp,” died aged 77 in Tournai, Belgium.
The French brothel owner stood trial alongside Dominique Strauss-Kahn in the 2015 Carlton case.
Alderweireld was accused of procuring prostitutes for sex parties at Lille’s Carlton hotel.
Both Alderweireld and Strauss-Kahn were acquitted in the case.
Alderweireld’s former lawyer said he died after suffering from heart failure and spending his final years in poverty.
- Who
- Dominique Alderweireld, a French brothel owner known as “Dodo the Pimp,” died; his former lawyer announced the death.
- What
- Alderweireld died aged 77 after previously standing trial in the Carlton prostitution case.
- When
- He died overnight Monday to Tuesday; the announcement was made Tuesday. The trial ended with acquittals in 2015.
- Where
- He died in Tournai, Belgium; the case involved the Carlton hotel in Lille, northern France.
- Why
- His death followed years of health problems, including heart failure; the article does not state a definitive cause of death.
Prosecution allegations
Alderweireld’s defense
Role in sex parties
Prosecution allegations
Alderweireld was accused of procuring prostitutes for sex parties involving prominent figures at Lille’s Carlton hotel.
Alderweireld’s defense
Alderweireld said the women in his Belgian hostess bars were freelancers and that he did not make money from their participation.
Connection to Strauss-Kahn
Prosecution allegations
The case focused on alleged links between Alderweireld and Dominique Strauss-Kahn.
Alderweireld’s defense
Alderweireld maintained throughout the trial that he had never met Strauss-Kahn.
Legal outcome
Prosecution allegations
The allegations led Alderweireld to stand trial in a high-profile prostitution case.
Alderweireld’s defense
Alderweireld and Strauss-Kahn were ultimately acquitted in 2015.
- Name
- Dominique Alderweireld
- Nickname
- “Dodo the Pimp”
- Age at death
- 77
- Death location
- Tournai, Belgium
- Major case
- The 2015 Carlton prostitution case
- Co-defendant
- Dominique Strauss-Kahn
- Court outcome
- Both Alderweireld and Strauss-Kahn were acquitted