Dominique Strauss-Kahn initially claimed diplomatic immunity when he was first arrested for sexual assault in New York, according to official documents and transcripts released by prosecutors in the case.

The ex-International Monetary Fund (IMF) boss also scoffed at wearing handcuffs when arrested at JFK airport last month.

The transcripts also reveal how hotel staff and police officials were able to detain Strauss-Kahn before he could flee to France by airplane.

Before boarding the aircraft, he called the Sofitel Hotel in Times Square at 3:30 pm (local time) to say he left his cell phone behind. According to the transcripts, the following dialogue took place:

Hotel Employee: Mr. Strauss-Kahn, this is the Sofitel. I have your phone. I need to know where you are so I can return it.
Strauss-Kahn: I am at JFK airport.
Hotel Employee: Ok. I can be there in 40 minutes.
Strauss-Kahn: I have a problem because my flight leaves at 4:26 pm.
Hotel Employee: No problem, I will take a cab and be there in 40 minutes.

With policemen eavesdropping on the phone conversation, the hotel employee promised to return the mobile phone to SK in person at the airport. However, police went to the airport to arrest him instead.

According to the prosecutor’s documents, the following dialogue occurred at the police station at Kennedy Airport between Strauss-Kahn and a police detective:

Detective Maharaj: Please have a seat.
Strauss-Kahn: Is that [handcuffing] necessary?
Detective Maharaj: Yes, it is.
Strauss-Kahn: I have diplomatic immunity.
Detective Maharaj: Where is your passport?

(Ten minutes later)
Strauss-Kahn: I need to make a call and let them know I won't be at my meeting tomorrow. These handcuffs are tight.

Five hours later at Manhattan Special Victims Squad, the following exchange took place:

Strauss-Kahn: Do I need a lawyer?
Detective Rivera: It is your right to have one in this country if you want. I don't know if you have some kind of diplomatic status.
Strauss-Kahn: No, no, no. I'm not trying to use that. I just want to know if I need a lawyer.
Detective Rivera: That is up to you.

Strauss-Kahn, who has pleaded not guilty to charges that he raped a hotel chambermaid, is currently out on bail and living under house arrest in Manhattan.

Strauss-Kahn’s attorney, Benjamin Brafman, refused to make any comments about the transcripts.

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