NEW YORK, NY – A high-profile investment banker in Park Slope has stepped down from his position at Moelis & Co. following a controversial incident where he was caught on video punching a woman during a protest. Jonathan Kaye, head of the global business services franchise at the Manhattan-based firm, made the decision to resign after facing significant backlash for his actions.

The altercation occurred on June 8 in Park Slope, where Kaye was filmed striking an anti-Israel protester. The incident quickly went viral, sparking outrage and leading to Kaye being placed on leave by the boutique firm. The 38-year-old woman involved in the altercation suffered a broken nose, lacerations, and a black eye as a result of the assault.

According to a source close to Kaye, the confrontation stemmed from a verbal altercation over the Israel-Hamas conflict. It was reported that Kaye, who is Jewish, encountered a group of demonstrators participating in a “Queers for Palestine” protest while out getting ice cream for his children. The situation escalated when Kaye was surrounded by the protesters, who allegedly shouted slurs at him and doused him with a red and white liquid.

In response to the incident, a spokesperson for Kaye stated that he felt threatened for his physical safety and acted in self-defense, being left bloodied from the attack. The spokesperson emphasized the rise in antisemitic incidents and stated that any Jewish person in such a situation would naturally feel the need to defend themselves.

Despite Kaye’s claims of self-defense, a criminal investigation into the incident is ongoing, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office. The video of the altercation led to Kaye receiving death threats and facing what his representative described as “a campaign of personal destruction.” Kaye has expressed his intent to cooperate with authorities to clear his name.

Before his tenure at Moelis, Kaye served as managing director of global mergers and acquisitions at Citibank. The incident has brought significant attention to the issue of personal safety and self-defense in highly charged environments, sparking debates about the appropriate response to confrontations during protests or demonstrations. Kaye’s resignation marks a significant development in the aftermath of the incident, indicating the impact of public scrutiny on individuals in influential positions.