LAWSUIT CLAIMS GOLDMAN SACHS TRIED TO COVER UP SEXUAL ABUSE CASE

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. attempted to cover up allegations of workplace sexual misconduct by the bank’s global head of litigation, a lawsuit filed in New York State Supreme Court claimed, Reuters reported.

The lawsuit was filed by Marla Crawford, a former associate general counsel at the bank, against Goldman Sachs, the bank’s General Counsel Karen Seymour and its Global Head of Litigation, Darrell Cafasso.

The lawsuit claimed Cafasso used his position of power to “romantically prey upon a much younger and vulnerable female colleague.” Crawford, who was a confidant of the alleged victim, attempted to speak up about the alleged misconduct, the lawsuit said and was subsequently fired after 10 years of “exemplary performance.” 

Seymour and Goldman hired law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP to conduct an investigation with the intention to quickly “sweep it under the rug,” the lawsuit claimed. Cafasso returned to work after two weeks, while the alleged victim - who is unnamed in the lawsuit - left the bank, it said. Seymour declined to comment. Cafasso was not available for comment. Goldman Sachs rejected the claims in the lawsuit.