Citigroup slams sexual harassment claims against – Business News
Citigroup on Tuesday forcefully rejected accusations by a former managing director who sued the bank over alleged sexual harassment by wealth management chief Andy Sieg, saying she expressed “steadfast” help for him and that her case belongs in arbitration.
The third-largest US bank petitioned the federal court docket in Austin, Texas, to maneuver Julia Carreon’s case behind closed doorways, in the future after the previous head of wealth platforms and experiences sued Citigroup for unspecified damages in Manhattan.
Carreon accused Sieg of repeated and public sexual harassment, together with his allegedly insinuating they had been intimate and telling colleagues that he and he or she shared a “special song,” and mentioned the bank’s “weaponized” human sources division campaigned to drive her out.
Julkia Carreon, a former managing director at Citigroup , sued the bank over alleged sexual harassment by wealth management chief Andy Sieg. He will not be a defendant in Carreon’s lawsuit. Bloomberg by way of Getty Images
But in Tuesday’s petition, Citigroup mentioned “there is absolutely no factual or legal basis” to say Sieg sexually harassed Carreon.
The New York-based bank additionally mentioned Carreon “remained steadfast in her praise for Mr. Sieg” a number of months after she claimed his harassment started, and thru her closing days on the bank earlier than her June 7, 2024, departure.
In one instance, Citigroup mentioned Carreon allegedly wrote to Sieg on May 29, 2024: “You are truly one of the most exceptional people & leaders I’ve ever met. Your integrity is irreproachable…. They are so lucky to have you.”
The day earlier than she left, in accordance with Citigroup, Carreon wrote Sieg and one other prime wealth government: “Thank you both for attempting to change the culture. It’s not easy. Particularly not for change makers. Tmrw is my last day. Appreciate you. Can’t wait to watch the great things you’ll do.”
Carreon accused Sieg of repeated and public sexual harassment, together with his allegedly insinuating they had been intimate and telling colleagues that he and he or she shared a “special song,” LinkedIn
Carreon’s lawyer Linda Friedman mentioned her shopper is a “strong person” who seems ahead to her day in court docket.
“Citi’s retaliatory filing of a lawsuit against Ms. Carreon after she sued the firm for gender and racial discrimination speaks eloquently to the bullying and intimidation tactics Wall Street firms routinely employ against women or people of color who have the courage to seek reform,” Friedman added.
Citigroup mentioned Carreon agreed when she was employed in 2021 and again in 2022 to be certain by its arbitration coverage.
Citigroup mentioned Carreon agreed when she was employed in 2021 and again in 2022 to be certain by its arbitration coverage. ullstein bild by way of Getty Images
In March 2022, former President Joe Biden signed the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act, which prohibits corporations from forcing staff with sexual harassment claims into arbitration.
Sieg is one of Citigroup Chief Executive Jane Fraser’s highest-profile hires. He will not be a defendant in Carreon’s lawsuit. Carreon lived and labored in Austin whereas employed at Citigroup, the bank mentioned.
