Robert Rubin

Robert Edward Rubin (born August 29, 1938) is an American financier, businessman, and politican who served as the 70th United States Secretary of the Treasury during President Clinton's administration.

Citigroup and post-political career

Rubin left the Clinton Administration and joined Citigroup as an executive in October, 1999; he remains there to this day. He sparked controversy in 2001 when he contacted an acquaintance at the Treasury Department and asked if the department could convince bond-rating agencies to not downgrade the corporate debt of Enron. Enron was a debtor of Citigroup, and Rubin's intention was for Enron creditors to loan the troubled company money to restructure its debt and prevent the energy giant's collapse; a collapse would have serious consequences for financial markets and energy distribution. However, the Treasury official refused, and a subsequent congressional staff investigation cleared Rubin of any wrongdoing. Nonetheless, he was harshly criticized by political opponents.

Related Topics:
Citigroup - October - 1999 - 2001 - Treasury Department - Enron

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Rubin has written a memoir, titled In an Uncertain World: Tough Choices from Wall Street to Washington (ISBN 0375505857), with writer Jacob Weisberg. He is married to Judith Oxenberg Rubin, who served as the New York City Commissioner of Protocol for four years under Mayor David Dinkins. The Rubins have two grown sons, James and Philip.

Related Topics:
Protocol - David Dinkins

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Rubin was briefly mentioned as a potential vice-presidential candidate on the ticket of 2004 Democratic Party presidential nominee John Kerry. Rubin did, however, serve as an advisor on economic policy to Kerry's campaign. Rubin's heft as a Wall Street businessman was said to add a stamp of approval to Kerry's economic plans.

Related Topics:
2004 - Democratic Party - John Kerry

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