Goldman’s future C.E.O. urged a whistle-blower to stay quiet
In 2014, James Katzman, then leading Goldman’s West Coast M.&A. practice, called the firm’s whistle-blower hotline. Colleagues, he said, had tried repeatedly to obtain and share confidential client information. But an NYT report reveals that instead of being investigated by outside lawyers, his allegations were picked up by Goldman’s general counsel and top executives — including David Solomon, the C.E.O.-in-waiting.
Here’s how Emily Flitter, Kate Kelly and Dave Enrich describe his role:
During the meetings, Mr. Solomon repeatedly recommended that Mr. Katzman let go of his grievances and focus instead on his job, said the people close to Mr. Katzman. Mr. Solomon told Mr. Katzman that the concerns he had raised simply reflected the way Wall Street worked, these people said.
Mr. Katzman perceived Mr. Solomon as trying to silence him, the people said. A person at Goldman said that was not Mr. Solomon’s intent.
Mr. Katzman left the firm in 2015 and signed a confidentiality agreement. Goldman’s board will hear about Mr. Solomon’s interactions with Mr. Katzman at a scheduled board meeting tomorrow.