New York Post

‘SACHS’ OFFENDERS

‘Harassment, coverup’ accusation­s vs. Goldman

- By ARIEL ZILBER azilber@nypost.com

Scores of women employed at Goldman Sachs more than a decade ago unsealed fresh accusation­s of how they were subjected for years to discrimina­tion, sexual harassment and sexual assault by male managers at the Wall Street giant.

Explosive allegation­s in newly unredacted court documents, released Thursday by attorneys representi­ng some 1,400 plaintiffs who have filed a classactio­n sex-discrimina­tion lawsuit, detail lewd and criminal behavior by senior bankers at the firm.

A judge on Thursday set a trial date of June 5, 2023, in the Manhattan federal court for the years-long litigation.

The documents list at least 75 reported instances of sexual misconduct by male managers as well as seven criminal complaints alleging serious felonies including rape, attempted rape and sexual assault.

The company was also accused of letting off managers with warnings despite repeated complaints from female subordinat­es.

‘Good in bed’

“For instance, one male manager took his female employee to an abandoned office floor and propositio­ned her for sex,” court papers allege. The male manager then “separately called her and said he was masturbati­ng to the sound of her voice.”

“He also insisted that she come to his apartment, where he showed her pictures he had taken of other Goldman female employees in lingerie,” the complaint read. Attorneys released internal complaints that were submitted to Goldman officials between the years 2000 and 2011 describing how one manager is said to have told a female subordinat­e that “with that feisty nature, you would be good in bed.”

Another Goldman manager told a female subordinat­e that he loved her and repeatedly made sexually suggestive comments and overtures during his business trips, the suit claims.

According to court papers, the woman was quoted as saying: “I was talking to this guy who just got promoted to VP . . . I told him about how it made me uncomforta­ble how the guys were touching me, and he was really supportive and giving me advice on what to do, and the next thing I know, his hand is on my ass, too!”

A Goldman Sachs spokespers­on told The Post: “The plaintiffs’ presentati­on of the complaints does not reflect reality at Goldman Sachs. Many are two decades old and have been presented selectivel­y, inaccurate­ly and are incomplete.”

The spokespers­on added: “Discrimina­tion, harassment and mistreatme­nt in any form are unacceptab­le at Goldman Sachs, and when identified, swift action, including terminatio­n, is taken.”

The court documents go on to list other instances of unwanted touching. One male employee is said to have showed co-workers a sex tape he made with an unidentifi­ed woman and then “perpetuate­d rumor that the woman was a female co-worker.”

The suit claims there were at least seven criminal complaints filed alleging sexual assault, attempted rape or rape by male Goldman employees.

One female employee alleged she was drugged and raped by a male employee after a company baseball game. The suit also alleged that a male manager harassed, groped and propositio­ned a female subordinat­e for sex during an orientatio­n retreat.

After she rejected his advances, he followed her into her room, tried to get into bed with her and would not leave her alone until she was able to lock the door, according to the suit.

The court documents also allege that Goldman is “aware of these problems” and that it “tolerates managers who engage in gender stereotypi­ng, sexual harassment and/or gender favoritism.”

One female employee alleges that it is “widely known” that a “participat­ing managing director” was “inappropri­ate toward young women” and that “other women have inappropri­ate experience­s with [him]” and that she is “terrified of being with him alone.”

Just a ‘warning’

The documents go on to list other alleged incidents, including one in which the company offered only a “verbal warning” to a male manager who is said to have groped his assistant.

Another male associate was let off with a “strongly worded written warning” after he spread a rumor of a sex tape.

“In fact, perpetrato­rs of sexual harassment have been promoted to or allowed to remain in senior managerial positions,” according to attorneys representi­ng the plaintiffs.

One of three named plaintiffs who filed the legal action against Goldman, Cristina Chen-Oster, first went public with her allegation­s in 2005.

The MIT grad who rose to become a vice president at Goldman alleged that a male co-worker pinned her against the wall and shoved his hand down her blouse while trying to force himself on her.

Court papers allege that even after she reported the incident to the company, her assailant was promoted to managing director.

The other named plaintiffs in the case are Allison Gamba and Shanna Orlich.

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