International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn has been taken into custody by New York City police, for alleged sexual assault against a hotel employee.

A maid at the Times Square Sofitel says Strauss-Kahn attacked her on Saturday afternoon. According to law enforcement officers, the IMF Managing Director then fled, leaving his cell phone behind.

Strauss-Kahn was arrested in the first class section of an Air France flight, scheduled to depart for Paris. The 62-year-old took over the organization in November 2007.