The expense claim relates to a three-day work trip to Amsterdam in July last year. Photo: Sylvain Sonnet/The Image Bank RF
A Citigroup banker was fired for spending money on his partner for lunch and then lying about it.
Szabolcs Fekete, a senior analyst in the London office of the Wall Street giant Street, was fired after he claimed an order of “pesto pasta and bolognese” was eaten in one meal.
The claim related to a three-day work trip to Amsterdam in July last year. In addition to the double order of pasta, Mr. Fekete also spent two coffees and two sandwiches in one meal.
The banker initially said he ate all the food himself, claiming he skipped breakfast on the day of the order. ordered a double sandwich but later admitted that he had paid for the meal for his partner, who was not a Citi employee.
Following an internal investigation, Mr Fekete was fired in November last year for gross misconduct.
< p>Last month, the Wall Street giant won a labor lawsuit against Mr. Fekete, who had sought to challenge the bank's decision to fire him.
Documents released at the tribunal show that a senior Citi manager told Mr Fekete that his claim for reimbursement would be refused because he was concerned that the meal shown on the receipt was for two people.
< p>Mr Fekete stated that his claim for costs would be rejected. that the amounts spent were well within the bank's daily allowance of €100 (£87), and replied by email: «I was on a business trip alone and drank 2 cups of coffee as they were very small.»
The senior manager questioned his answer, saying: “The receipt appears to show two sandwiches, two coffees and one other drink…Are you saying you ate all of this?”
Mr Fekete replied: “ Yes». that's right… That day I skipped breakfast and only drank one coffee in the morning. For lunch I ate 1 sandwich with a drink and 1 coffee at a restaurant, took another coffee with me to the office and ate a second sandwich in the afternoon… which also became my dinner.”
He added: “All my expenses are within the daily limit of 100 euros. Could you please outline your concerns as I don't think I need to justify my eating habits to that extent.»
In early August 2022, the manager referred the matter to Citi's ethics department, which began investigation.
During the investigation, Mr Fekete also denied that he had shared a meal consisting of «pesto pasta and bolognese».
However, he later confirmed in August that some of the food eaten by his partner.
Last month, an employment judge ruled that Citi did not break any rules when it fired Mr Fekete, who «held a position of trust at a global financial institution». The judge said the case was “not about money.”
The judge added: “I accepted that the expense report may have been submitted in error. However, I am satisfied that dismissal based solely on an allegation of misrepresentation would fall within the scope of a reasonable response on the part of a reasonable employer.
“I am satisfied that even if a claim for costs had been made in accordance with c As a result of the misunderstanding, the plaintiff was obliged to admit his guilt and rectify the situation at the first opportunity. I agree that the defendant requires a commitment to integrity from its employees.»
A Citi spokesperson said, «We are pleased with this decision.»
Citi also suspended one of its most significant operations in 2020. senior bond traders in London after being accused of stealing food from the office canteen. The man left the bank shortly after his suspension.
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