NEW YORK, NY – A high-profile investment banker involved in a violent altercation in Brooklyn has resigned from his position following the incident, according to a company statement released on Monday.
Jonathan Kaye, the head of a global business services franchise at Moelis & Co. in Manhattan, was captured on video punching an anti-Israel protester in Park Slope on June 8. The video quickly went viral, leading to Kaye being placed on leave by the boutique firm shortly after the altercation.
The 38-year-old woman involved in the incident suffered a broken nose, lacerations, and a black eye. Kaye, who resides in a Park Slope brownstone valued at over $3.7 million, declined to comment when contacted by reporters from The Post.
Reportedly, the altercation between Kaye, who is Jewish, and the unidentified woman stemmed from a heated exchange over the Israel-Hamas conflict. A source close to Kaye revealed that he was confronted by a group of demonstrators while out purchasing ice cream for his children. The situation escalated as individuals in the group allegedly hurled insults at Kaye before dousing him with a red and white liquid.
Kaye’s spokesperson defended his actions, stating that he felt threatened for his safety and was forced to defend himself in the face of physical assault. The incident is currently under investigation by the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, amidst growing concerns over antisemitic incidents.
Since the video of the altercation spread online, Kaye has received death threats and faced what his representative described as “a campaign of personal destruction.” Despite the challenges, Kaye expressed his willingness to cooperate with authorities and clear his name from any wrongdoing.
Prior to his role at Moelis, Kaye held a prominent position as managing director of global mergers and acquisitions at Citibank. The incident has sparked a discussion about workplace behavior and the importance of handling conflicts with resilience and empathy, rather than resorting to violence.