Jonathan Kaye, a 52-year-old managing director at Moelis & Company, was involved in an alleged altercation during the Brooklyn Pride Multicultural Festival on Saturday, June 8, 2024. Video footage shared online shows Kaye punching an unnamed woman in the face, causing her to fall to the ground in front of a crowd of partygoers.
The incident purportedly began when Kaye, who is Jewish, was returning from dinner and was reportedly taunted and doused with liquid by a group of four women supporting "Queers for Palestine." Jonathan Kaye allegedly responded to their provocation by stating they were “on the wrong side,” leading to a physical confrontation that culminated in the punch.
The video shows Kaye wearing a jacket stained with what appears to be liquid. In response to the altercation, Moelis & Company confirmed that Kaye is the person in the video and stated they are conducting an investigation.
Despite the incident occurring in public and going viral, the NYPD has not officially received a report, though they are aware of the video. Kaye, who holds a B.A. from Tufts University and a law degree from Duke University, lives with his family in a $4 million townhouse in Park Slope. Previously, he worked at Citi Bank and has a substantial career in investment banking.
The Brooklyn Pride Multicultural Festival is an annual event that includes a parade and various celebrations along Fifth Avenue.