Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon is under fire for traveling to Paris after effectively banning his employees from attending the Olympics at the company’s expense.
The Wall Street mogul chartered the bank’s luxury private jet earlier this week to attend a series of parties and events ahead of the 2024 Games. This is reported by the New York Post.
The Gulfstream G650ER, dubbed ‘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 will go to Paris. Hypocrisy at its finest,” a Goldman banker confirmed to the outlet. “And he will no doubt be using one of the company’s planes.”
He was also invited to a chic soiree hosted by Bernard Arnault, the billionaire chairman of luxury conglomerate LVMH, and was among the VIP guests at Friday’s opening ceremony on the Seine.
Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon traveled to Paris for the Olympics earlier this week.
Wall Street boss chartered private jet after ‘banning’ employees from attending Olympics
In April, Solomon reportedly warned company executives “not to dine or drink clients at the Paris Games without prior approval.”
The sources said the order was prompted by fears that meetings would be arranged as an excuse to attend the big global event at the company’s expense.
Solomon, who has received criticism over the years for his side gig as a DJ, is coming under fire from several employees for his latest use of company funds.
“It seems like there’s one rule for David Solomon and another for everyone else,” said another Wall Street source. “Maybe they should call him King Solomon.”
However, Goldman’s chief spokesman, Tony Fratto, defended the big boss.
“That’s ridiculous. Everything we do here we do with clients and with our growing team in the country,” Fratto told The Post.
The 62-year-old is also expected to attend multiple sporting events where he will entertain some of the firm’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.
Solomon earned $31 million last year, up 24% from the $25 million he took home in 2022, according to the bank’s own investor reports.
He attended the opening ceremony on Friday, along with a series of fancy events.