NEW YORK (Reuters) – Goldman Sachs Group Inc
tried to cowl up allegations of office sexual misconduct by the financial institution’s world head of litigation, a lawsuit filed on Monday in New York State Supreme Courtroom claimed.
The lawsuit was filed by Marla Crawford, a former affiliate common counsel on the financial institution, in opposition to Goldman Sachs, the financial institution’s Basic Counsel Karen Seymour and its World Head of Litigation, Darrell Cafasso.
The lawsuit claimed Cafasso used his place of energy to “romantically prey upon a a lot youthful and weak feminine colleague.”
Crawford, who was a confidant of the alleged sufferer, tried to talk up in regards to the alleged misconduct, the lawsuit stated, and was subsequently fired after 10 years of “exemplary efficiency.”
Seymour and Goldman employed legislation agency Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP to conduct an investigation with the intention to shortly “sweep it underneath the rug,” the lawsuit claimed. Cafasso returned to work after two weeks, whereas the alleged sufferer – who’s unnamed within the lawsuit – left the financial institution, it stated.
Seymour declined to remark. Cafasso was not accessible for remark.
Goldman Sachs rejected the claims within the lawsuit.
“We performed a evaluate of the allegations on this criticism and located that they have been utterly with out benefit,” a spokeswoman stated.
“The Basic Counsel took all acceptable actions, together with making certain there have been thorough investigations by our HR perform, after the incidents that kind the idea of the plaintiff’s criticism,” she added.
As a part of a broader authorized division restructuring, Crawford was provided her similar job in a special location, a chance she declined, the Goldman Sachs spokeswoman stated.
In an announcement issued by her lawyer, Crawford stated: “As a lawyer {and professional}, I at all times attempt to get up for what is true. Sadly for Goldman’s high legal professionals, that made me a legal responsibility. I’ll maintain Goldman and its senior legal professionals accountable for the blatant retaliation perpetrated in opposition to me.”
(Reporting by Matt Scuffham; modifying by Edward Tobin)
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