Goldman executive in fraud case 'taking time off'

By STEVENSON JACOBS AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) - Goldman Sachs says the executive at the center of the government's civil fraud case is voluntarily taking some time off from work.

Fabrice Tourre, who was named Friday in the Securities and Exchange Commission lawsuit against the firm, is taking a break from his position at the firm's London offices, Goldman Sachs spokesman Michael Duvally said.

"It is voluntary. He decided to take some time off," Duvally said.

Tourre was a vice president in his late 20s when the alleged fraud was orchestrated in 2007. Tourre, the SEC said, boasted to a friend that he was able to put such deals together as the mortgage market was unraveling in early 2007.

Tourre, 31, has since been promoted to executive director of Goldman Sachs International in London.