The decision was presumably made after hearing about former Goldman Sachs board member, Rajat Gupta, calling up Raj Rajaratnam with earnings information 23 seconds after getting it from GS management. NOBODY PLAYS LLOYD LIKE THAT!

The spectacle of Mr. Blankfein taking the stand in the criminal trial is sure to attract attention to the already high-stakes affair. Prosecutors and the defense are pulling out the stops in a six-week trial, set to start Tuesday. The stakes are significant for Mr. Rajaratnam and the government, which has been aggressively pursuing insider trading cases in the 19-month tenure of Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. Though Mr. Blankfein has agreed to testify, he isn’t guaranteed to appear. He could fall off the agenda, depending on how the trial proceeds.

1) This is happen. 2) Rajat Gupta has clearly made it onto LB’s personal shit list so regardless of whether or not he takes the stand, Gupta should consider getting out of town and fast. Unless, he wants to see what Lucas vP looks like an executioner’s mask on.

Blankfein Agrees To Testify [WSJ]

Comments (50)

  1. Posted by Seaman Bodine | March 4, 2011 at 12:29 PM

    In India, that’s how you do it.

  2. Posted by curry hurry | March 4, 2011 at 12:59 PM

    Gupta last seen lacing up Nikes.

  3. Posted by Richard Cripples | March 4, 2011 at 1:04 PM

    Prosecutor: Mr. Gupta, do you recall phoning Mr. Rajaratnam immediately after you heard the news about Goldman?
    Gupta: Yes, I do.
    Prosecutor: Did you report this conversation with Mr. Rajaratnam to the proper authorities?
    Gupta: I have two books at my bedside, the Goldman Sachs Employee Code of Conduct and the King James Bible. The only proper authorities I am aware of are the CEO of Goldman Sachs Lloyd Blankfein and the Lord our God.
    Prosecutor: Did you report the conversation to your superiors?
    Gupta: I remember thinking very highly of Mr. Rajaratnam, of not wanting to see all the good things he did in his legitimate years tarnished by a formal charge.
    Prosecutor: You preferred that it be handled within the industry.
    Gupta: Yes, I most certainly did.
    Prosecutor: Mr. Gupta, do you know what Front Running is?
    Gupta: Yes, I do.

  4. Posted by GodisGoldman? | March 4, 2011 at 1:11 PM

    Blankfein finally gets the chance to do God’s work

  5. Posted by Lucas V-P | March 4, 2011 at 1:29 PM

    “Former P&G Board member Rajat Gupta.”

    Other than that, I have no concerns.

  6. Posted by Guy who Lloyd looks through | March 4, 2011 at 1:38 PM

    Having Lloyd testify at your trial is the NKI

  7. Posted by Guy who Lloyd looks through | March 4, 2011 at 1:38 PM

    Having Lloyd testify at your trial is the NKI

  8. Posted by Torquil69 | March 4, 2011 at 2:02 PM

    Having had, “legitimate years” is the NKI.

  9. Posted by Guest | March 4, 2011 at 2:02 PM

    “Agrees” is a strong word. I would have thought there was “mild persuasion” given that a subpoena could have followed if he turned down the request.

  10. Posted by PasteSpecialFormats | March 4, 2011 at 2:05 PM

    Lloyd Blankfein Fact #1: Once Lloyd Blankfein is on an agenda, he never falls off.

  11. Posted by Anonymous | March 4, 2011 at 2:06 PM

    Wallace Shawn to play Lloyd in the Lifetime made for TV movie

  12. Posted by Guest | March 4, 2011 at 2:07 PM

    I don’t see what this little sideshow is in aide of. How can Lloyd be a witness. Did he see it happen? Isn’t all that he can provide is a hearsay account?

    Or is this more of the fact that the prosecutors are also going after Goldies. With Raj’s army of lawyers, just imagine what the cross examination will be like!

  13. Posted by Guest | March 4, 2011 at 2:07 PM

    I don’t see what this little sideshow is in aide of. How can Lloyd be a witness. Did he see it happen? Isn’t all that he can provide is a hearsay account?

    Or is this more of the fact that the prosecutors are also going after Goldies. With Raj’s army of lawyers, just imagine what the cross examination will be like!

  14. Posted by Lord Humongous | March 4, 2011 at 2:12 PM

    Will he be brought into the courtroom on a golden throne, borne by burly, loinclothed men and virgins sprinkling rose petals?

  15. Posted by Torquil69 | March 4, 2011 at 2:12 PM

    shouldn’t you be on above the law ?

  16. Posted by Guest | March 4, 2011 at 2:15 PM

    Ok this trial is getting thrown out on mistrial before it starts. A messenger of God, on the witness stand? The jury will be so tainted by sanctimonious presence of Lloyd testifying against Raj, Raj won’t stand a chance.

    Have they never seen George Burns in “Oh, God!”

  17. Posted by IrishCricketeer | March 4, 2011 at 2:17 PM

    I’ll tell you what you won’t see. You won’t see a bunch of Pommy lawyers wearing wigs, ya limey bastard.

  18. Posted by Guest | March 4, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    I DON’T like people playin on my phone!

  19. Posted by Bob Morris | March 4, 2011 at 2:40 PM

    Oh right, Blankfein will do the right thing for ethical and moral reasons when Bernie Madoff does. This is pure CYA probably in an attempt to ward of the inevitable future investigations into Goldman.

    They’re all criminals. If we had a functioning justice system they’d all be in prison. Hopefully someday they will.

  20. Posted by Guest | March 4, 2011 at 2:45 PM

    Would love to see him take the stand and plead the 5th. Wouldn’t that be fun?

  21. Posted by Guest | March 4, 2011 at 2:48 PM

    Somewhere in a fabulous little Parisien flat, Fab is thinking there is a God.

  22. Posted by Gg | March 4, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    Die slowly of bear molestation alone in a cave.

  23. Posted by Tony | March 4, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    “He could fall off the agenda,…..”

    There is something about that line that is sort of…well, never mind…

    -Tony Soprano

  24. Posted by Priceline Negotiator | March 4, 2011 at 2:51 PM

    Why does God need a Starship?

    -Capt. James T. Kirk
    USS Enterprise

  25. Posted by Clownshoes | March 4, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    Tits or GTFO.

  26. Posted by Guest | March 4, 2011 at 3:06 PM

    Later Raj would be sentenced to six years in prison and was soundly beaten by three inmates who “kept it realer.”

  27. Posted by Melo | March 4, 2011 at 3:38 PM

    STOP SNITCHING

  28. Posted by Melo | March 4, 2011 at 3:38 PM

    STOP SNITCHING

  29. Posted by Juniormistmaker | March 4, 2011 at 3:44 PM

    I just looked at your blog and now I have to clean all of the puke off my desk. Thanks.

  30. Posted by Tinfoil Hat Rant Adjudicator | March 4, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    Bob, when you are posting a nonsensical “torches and pitchforks” type of rant, you are typically required to include one or more of the following key phrases:
    “Fat Cats”
    “Main Street”
    “Middle Class”
    “Ultra-Rich”
    “Common Man”
    “Little Guy”
    “Unfair Tax Breaks”
    “Bet against their clients”

    As you have used none of these phrases, I must grade your rant a FAIL. Please feel free to try again.

  31. Posted by Tinfoil Hat Rant Adjudicator | March 4, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    Bob, when you are posting a nonsensical “torches and pitchforks” type of rant, you are typically required to include one or more of the following key phrases:
    “Fat Cats”
    “Main Street”
    “Middle Class”
    “Ultra-Rich”
    “Common Man”
    “Little Guy”
    “Unfair Tax Breaks”
    “Bet against their clients”

    As you have used none of these phrases, I must grade your rant a FAIL. Please feel free to try again.

  32. Posted by Tinfoil Hat Rant Adjudicator | March 4, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    Bob, when you are posting a nonsensical “torches and pitchforks” type of rant, you are typically required to include one or more of the following key phrases:
    “Fat Cats”
    “Main Street”
    “Middle Class”
    “Ultra-Rich”
    “Common Man”
    “Little Guy”
    “Unfair Tax Breaks”
    “Bet against their clients”

    As you have used none of these phrases, I must grade your rant a FAIL. Please feel free to try again.

  33. Posted by Tinfoil Hat Rant Adjudicator | March 4, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    Bob, when you are posting a nonsensical “torches and pitchforks” type of rant, you are typically required to include one or more of the following key phrases:
    “Fat Cats”
    “Main Street”
    “Middle Class”
    “Ultra-Rich”
    “Common Man”
    “Little Guy”
    “Unfair Tax Breaks”
    “Bet against their clients”

    As you have used none of these phrases, I must grade your rant a FAIL. Please feel free to try again.

  34. Posted by Tinfoil Hat Rant Adjudicator | March 4, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    Bob, when you are posting a nonsensical “torches and pitchforks” type of rant, you are typically required to include one or more of the following key phrases:
    “Fat Cats”
    “Main Street”
    “Middle Class”
    “Ultra-Rich”
    “Common Man”
    “Little Guy”
    “Unfair Tax Breaks”
    “Bet against their clients”

    As you have used none of these phrases, I must grade your rant a FAIL. Please feel free to try again.

  35. Posted by LB | March 4, 2011 at 4:05 PM

    Raj, you’re a board member and I love you, but don’t ever take side with anyone against the firm again… Ever.

  36. Posted by LB | March 4, 2011 at 4:05 PM

    Raj, you’re a board member and I love you, but don’t ever take side with anyone against the firm again… Ever.

  37. Posted by E! | March 4, 2011 at 4:08 PM

    And seen at the trail doing a character study for his next film… Wallace Shawn

  38. Posted by E! | March 4, 2011 at 4:08 PM

    And seen at the trail doing a character study for his next film… Wallace Shawn

  39. Posted by Guest | March 4, 2011 at 4:29 PM

    You forgot to include “banksters”

  40. Posted by Guest | March 4, 2011 at 4:29 PM

    Wonder if GS now need to restate that litigation accrual figure for the year.

  41. Posted by Gentleman Trader | March 4, 2011 at 5:33 PM

    you forgot my personal favorite; “bankster,” the use of which is a clear indicator of a jackass

  42. Posted by Gentleman Trader | March 4, 2011 at 5:33 PM

    you forgot my personal favorite; “bankster,” the use of which is a clear indicator of a jackass

  43. Posted by Guest | March 4, 2011 at 5:44 PM

    It’s first-yr analaysts that are the slaves, so more likely it will be burly, loinclothed women doing the bearing and male virgins sprinkling the petals

  44. Posted by Theepartier | March 4, 2011 at 5:48 PM

    and, for the more sophisticated ranters, “people who add nothing of value to the economy”

  45. Posted by Anonymous | March 4, 2011 at 6:13 PM

    God only knows why you are on a Wall Street website…nobody is going to believe this nonsense here.

  46. Posted by guest | March 4, 2011 at 6:34 PM

    I know, Right? Because tradesters are the real problem.

  47. Posted by Stupid Police | March 4, 2011 at 10:08 PM

    System overload…

  48. Posted by Chuck | March 5, 2011 at 2:47 PM

    Where are all the client’s Lloyd Blankfein’s?

  49. Posted by Anonymous | March 7, 2011 at 9:04 PM

    Your day will come Evil Kermit – “400 Mubaraks” http://tinyurl.com/4qckum2

  50. Posted by Anonymous | March 7, 2011 at 9:04 PM

    Your day will come Evil Kermit – “400 Mubaraks” http://tinyurl.com/4qckum2

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