Citi's 'Wall of Shame'

That's what fired Citigroup executive Todd Thomson had in his "Swiss chalet" of an office - photos of himself with the rich and powerful. It was a reminder to all his visitors that he was one of the top dogs at the financial services giant - and as such was entitled to behavior that most of us would consider inappropriate. Hell, I'd just call it outrageous. Forbes writer Elizabeth McDonald sets aside all the gossip of Thomson's friendship with CNBC's Money Honey, Maria Bartiromo, and instead focuses on Thomson's in-house excesses.

Start with Thomson's office on West 51st Street and 7th Avenue in New York City. It was decked out "like a Swiss chalet," Citi insiders say, and had the air of the inner sanctum of the Wizard of Oz. With partial views of Central Park, Thomson's office had a tropical fish tank, Persian carpets and a sumptuous chandelier. A working fireplace was installed, which Thomson reportedly told colleagues lent itself to cozy fireside chats for then-chairman [Sanford] Weill to schmooze with rich clients--great for potential photo ops. Dubbed the Todd Mahal, an insider says Thomson's office was so richly appointed because he "saw himself as stepping into Weill's shoes."

Thomson also had his own personal, well-appointed boardroom on the 50th floor that virtually no one else at Citi could use. Inlaid with expensive marble floors, it stretches about 10 yards and has an immense oval, wooden table that can seat 20 to 30 people, a kitchenette and luxuriously polished wood cabinets lining the walls, Citi insiders say.

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Beyond the executive suite's accoutrements, however, Thomson had a discernible air about him, insiders say. He tended not to circulate among the plebes. But around Christmas time, he did venture out of his office "to get out and meet the little people," as one insider puts it. To do that, he got an executive from Citi's marketing unit to run interference for him. "She was like his security detail," say these people, her job more like a publicist moving a celebrity along the red carpet. "Thomson's reputation inside the building was one of an elitist, it was a total elitist mentality," says a Citi worker.