Crispin Odey spent three days in a London court defending himself against sexual harassment allegations and a £1.8 million FCA fine. The 67-year-old hedge fund founder portrayed himself as the main 'victim' in his firm's collapse, blaming regulators and executives while admitting his behavior could appear 'creepy' to female staff.

Odey admitted to groping a female colleague in 2005 but claimed she accepted his apology and continued working there for years. The court heard from two receptionists in their 20s who alleged inappropriate behavior, including being cornered in corridors after boozy lunches. Odey described himself as a 'dinosaur' who mistakenly believed younger women might be interested in him.

Former colleagues testified that Odey threatened to close the firm if removed over allegations, with the former CEO calling him a 'sex pest' and 'sociopath.' The FCA case focuses not on the harassment itself but on how Odey allegedly obstructed internal investigations and misled regulators afterward. The tribunal's decision will test the FCA's ability to hold executives accountable for workplace misconduct.