A former senior managing director at Citigroup has filed a lawsuit in a Manhattan federal court accusing the bank of failing to properly address sexual harassment by a high-level executive and of retaliating against her for reporting the conduct. The complaint, lodged on January 26, names the financial institution as the defendant and highlights alleged discriminatory practices within its wealth management division.
Executive Alleges Harassment and Mishandled Response
Julia Carreon, who previously served as global head of platform and experiences at Citigroup’s wealth unit, claims she was subjected to months of unwelcome advances and inappropriate behavior from Andy Sieg, a top executive overseeing the bank’s wealth management operations. According to the court filing, Carreon had initially worked closely with Sieg, but the relationship soured as his conduct became more personal and discomforting. The lawsuit contends that Citigroup’s human resources team did not fairly investigate her complaints and instead pressured her out of the firm.
The complaint details allegations of persistent inappropriate communication and insinuations about a personal relationship that Carreon says damaged her reputation and professional standing. Although Sieg is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit, Carreon’s legal team argues that the bank’s response to her claims embodied a broader workplace culture issue.
Claims of Workplace Bias and Company Denial
In her suit, Carreon asserts that Citigroup’s handling of her complaint reflected longstanding patterns of gender and racial discrimination, and she is seeking damages under federal, New York State, and city anti-discrimination laws. The filing accuses the bank’s HR department of focusing its scrutiny on her rather than on the alleged misconduct of senior leadership, effectively “weaponizing” internal processes to her detriment.
Citigroup has denied the allegations, labeling the lawsuit as without merit and affirming its commitment to a fair legal process. The bank has also reiterated its stance that all employee concerns are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly, even as this dispute unfolds publicly.
Industry Context and Broader Implications
The lawsuit arrives amid heightened attention on workplace culture and accountability in the financial sector, particularly at major institutions striving to bolster diversity and improve internal conduct. Critics of corporate practices increasingly spotlight how harassment claims are processed and whether leadership and HR structures adequately protect employees who raise concerns.
As Citigroup defends itself, the case may influence how other financial services firms address similar allegations and manage internal reporting mechanisms moving forward.
