Exclusive | Goldman Sachs taps hotshot SDNY lawyer Robert Sobelman to run internal investigations

Goldman Sachs has appointed Robert Sobelman, a former federal prosecutor involved in the corruption case against Eric Adams, as its new head of investigations. Sobelman, who worked on the case that was controversially dropped by the Trump administration, is set to join the bank led by David Solomon soon.

Sources close to Sobelman, who graduated from Colgate University and Brooklyn Law School, confirmed his move to Goldman Sachs. “Robert is leaving to lead investigations at Goldman,” said a senior source familiar with the situation. “This follows a recent wave of departures from the Southern District of New York.”

Sobelman, currently the chief of the public corruption unit at the Southern District of New York, is one of several prosecutors who left the office after the Trump administration intervened in the Adams case. His departure marks another significant exit from the office in recent months.

Other notable departures include former interim Manhattan US attorney Danielle Sassoon, who clashed with the Trump administration over dropping the Adams case. The office saw at least 10 federal prosecutors leave following the controversy.

Jay Clayton, former head of the SEC under Trump, took over as US Attorney for the Southern District of New York in August. He replaced Damian Williams, a Biden appointee.

Aside from the Menendez case, Sobelman also played a key role in prosecuting Michael Avenatti and Steve Bannon for separate charges of fraud.

Sobelman’s colleague David Kusnetz commended his integrity and determination in handling challenges, citing his successful prosecutions of powerful figures as examples of his approach to his work.