Goldman and Roman

Goldman Sachs' strategy for confronting the fraud complaint against it isn't entirely clear, but Bloomberg reported that the bank might try to cut itself off from the employee who helped put the disputed deal in place. No formal fraud complaint has been brought against ČEZ, despite numerous allegations of related-party deals that hurt shareholders and consumers, but a similar strategy for salvaging its sullied image is taking shape. Lawyer Miroslav Jansta, who insiders say is the real decision- maker at ČEZ, has reportedly given ČSSD the go-ahead to attack ČEZ's price-setting at the Prague energy exchange and other key incongruities and has also tapped COO Daniel Beneš to succeed Martin Roman as CEO. By making Roman the fall guy, a few lawyers, advisers and fixers linked to him will have to be cut out as well, but the ring-fence should allow things to return to normal at ČEZ after a new government is formed. A key unknown is whether ČSSD will drop the ax on Roman before the elections as a final concession to voters. [Czech Republic PXE]