To facilitate Blankfein’s call for transparency, we’re launching the Goldman Project, an ongoing attempt to track and publicize the multi-million second homes, $50,000 cars, $500 bottles of wine, and ostentatious living that we are subsidizing. And we need your help: Are you Facebook friends with a Goldmanite who just posted photos of his lavish bachelor party? Post them to our fancy new tag page, #GoldmanProject, or e-mail them to us. Are you a realtor who just sold a $4 million duplex a Goldman banker? Is your ex-boyfriend Goldman banker planning a year-end trip to Cabo to blow his bonus wad? Shoot us an e-mail. Likewise, if you catch any references to Goldman employees living large in the media, post them to #GoldmanProject to keep a running clipfile.
Gawker sets the stage for “Internets vs Goldman Sachs” Round 1, starting with an initiative to crowdsource the collection of personal excesses by GS employees.
I agree with FT Alphaville’s take on this - just because these guys make and spend a lot of money doesn’t mean they forfeit their right to privacy. Goldman has paid back its TARP funds, which it probably didn’t want in the first place. Perhaps they should have been (and should be) regulated more heavily, but that’s not a reason to hold a witchhunt against everyday employees buying their first apartment.
