“The story of former Jefferies MBS trader Jesse Litvak, who is currently on trial in New Haven federal court accused of defrauding investors of $2 million by lying on trades of mortgage-backed securities, is well known to regular readers: it was summarized previously in “We Are Doneski Gorgeous!” – How Bond Trading On Wall Street Really Works. In that article we showed, more than just an isolated case of alleged fraud, that when it comes to OTC trades which do not transact on an exchange but instead take place over the phone between a salesman and a buyer, it is all a game of lies, fraud and misinformation… however one which both it is a game of lies, fraud and misinformation. Today, Mr. Litvak confirmed as much when he said, quoting Bloomberg, “My lying is part” of making deals, he said, “although I generally consider myself a truthful person.”
And that, in a nutshell is not only Wall Street, but how Wall Street perceives itself: a business in which “truthful people” must resort to lying – even if that means being sued for fraud – to make a living.
More on this story from Bloomberg…..”
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