A JPMorgan Chase executive got a little too bullish in the firm’s Financial District offices — bodychecking and threatening to punch male colleagues like a hockey goon and getting pushy with the ladies, according to a new lawsuit.
Plaintiff Walter Suarez, a former financial adviser, was banished to the company’s Delancey Street outpost when he complained about colleague Michael Quach, and the move cost Suarez an $80 million client list, $20 million of which was taken by JPMorgan, his lawyers claim.
According to Suarez, Quach was a bully who resorted to physical violence to intimidate colleagues.
Suarez, who is Hispanic, says Quach, an Asian-American, got away with the behavior because bosses preferred Asian employees.
“Eventually, it got to the point of being ridiculous. This isn’t the corner bodega,” Suarez told The Post.
“We’re investment people. This is a professional setting. That’s when I spoke up.
“He just wasn’t a very professional person from the get-go, and I don’t think that I was the only person who felt that way.”
Suarez told superiors that Quach had manhandled several staffers, including one woman who was “physically assaulted during working hours on the banking floor,” according to the lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court by attorneys Matthew Blit and Amanda Gudis.
Suarez said Quach even threatened to punch him out in front of clients.
“It was like when you were in high school and you see someone you want to bully and you push into them,” Suarez said of Quach’s behavior.
Quach could not be reached for comment. A JPMorgan spokeswoman declined to comment on the lawsuit.
Suarez said Quach once picked a fight with him in front of a client.
“The bankers got up and had to grab him,” Suarez said. “There was no argument leading up to it. I was busy working. I guess he was envious. He just came out of nowhere.”
Suarez said Quach badmouthed him to company clients. “He was basically telling people I’m Bernie Madoff,” Suarez said.
“He was saying I’ll disappear with their money. It definitely hurt my business.”