KPMG places manager on leave after viral gym confrontation

KPMG has placed Yuen Lee, an advisory manager at the firm, on administrative leave following a viral video of a confrontation at a Manhattan gym. The footage, first shared by the nonprofit group StopAntisemitism, shows Lee calling an unidentified man a “Zionist pig” during a heated exchange at Chelsea Piers Flatiron.

In the video, Lee, who has worked at KPMG US for nearly six years, defends her comments by stating she is “highly educated” and reads books. The confrontation reportedly began after the man approached Lee to comment on her outfit, which included a black-and-white keffiyeh tied around her waist. While the keffiyeh is a symbol of Palestinian solidarity, it is viewed by some as a symbol of hate.

Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman amplified the video on social media, tagging KPMG’s accounts and contributing to the clip reaching over 2.5 million views. In response to the incident, a KPMG US spokesperson stated that the firm is “committed to fostering an inclusive culture that is free from discrimination” and noted that “there is no place for discriminatory rhetoric in our firm.” The company confirmed that Lee has been placed on leave while internal procedures are followed.