Goldman Sachs CEO flies to Paris on private jet after ‘banning’ staff from attending the Olympics: ‘Hypocrisy at its finest’
Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon is under fire for flying to Paris and banning his employees from attending the Olympics at the company’s expense.
The Wall Street magnate chartered the bank’s private luxury jet earlier this week to attend a series of parties and events ahead of the 2024 Games, reports the New York Post.
The Gulfstream G650ER, named “Air Force Sol,” landed in France on Thursday morning, where Solomon will dine with French President Emmanuel Macron and party with the rich and famous.
“Yes, he’s going to Paris. Hypocrisy at its finest,” a Goldman banker confirmed to the outlet. “And he’ll undoubtedly be using one of the company jets.”
He was also invited to a chic evening hosted by Bernard Arnault, the billionaire chairman of luxury conglomerate LVMH, and was among the VIP guests at the opening ceremony on Friday on the Seine.
Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon flew to Paris earlier this week for the Olympic Games
Wall Street boss chartered private jet after ‘banning’ employees from Games
Solomon reportedly warned the company’s management in April not to “indulge customers with wine and dinner during the Paris Olympics without prior approval.”
According to sources, the order came amid fears that meetings would be organised as an excuse to attend the major global event at the company’s expense.
Solomon, who has faced criticism over the years for his side job as a DJ, is now facing criticism from several employees for his recent use of company funds.
“It seems like there’s a different rule for David Solomon than there is for everybody else,” another Wall Street source said. “Maybe they should call him King Solomon.”
However, Goldman’s chief spokesman, Tony Fratto, defended the CEO.
“That’s ridiculous. Everything we do here, we do with customers and our growing team across the country,” Fratto told The Post.
The 62-year-old is also expected to attend several sporting events, entertaining a number of the company’s clients before hosting a group of Olympic gold medal winners.
“Like most other Fortune 100 CEOs, he is in Paris meeting with clients and our local employees,” Fratto said.
According to the bank’s own investor reports, Solomon earned $31 million last year, up 24% from the $25 million he took home in 2022.
He attended the opening ceremony on Friday, along with a series of lavish events