Citi investigating HR complaints against wealth head Sieg, Bloomberg News reports

Aug 20 (Reuters) - Citigroup C.N has hired law firm Paul Weiss to investigate complaints about the behavior of the bank's wealth management chief, Andy Sieg, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people with direct knowledge of the matter.

The complaints accused Sieg "of intimidating and unfairly sidelining employees", the report said. Paul Weiss's investigation is now complete, it added, citing sources.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report. Paul Weiss did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.

Sieg, who joined Citi as the head of wealth management from rival Bank of America BAC.N in September 2023, did not respond to Reuters requests by phone, LinkedIn and email for a comment.

"Andy is a highly respected leader with more than 25 years operating at the most senior levels of the wealth management industry," Citi spokesperson Mark Costiglio said in an email statement to Reuters, adding that the wealth business has transformed under his leadership.

"We look forward to Andy continuing to drive strong business performance," he said.

In a statement to Bloomberg News, Costiglio said it was "standard practice" for the bank to engage an outside law firm to probe allegations against a senior member of the management team "to ensure independence and prevent even the appearance of a possible conflict of interest".