The Fund: Ray Dalio, Bridgewater Associates, and the Unraveling of a Wall Street Legend paints a different picture of Ray Dalio and Bridgewater Associates than the public is used to. Released on Tuesday, the biography by New York Times reporter Rob Copeland sheds light on the allegedly toxic workplace culture at the company, with employees reportedly experiencing sexual harassment and capricious firings, all under the leadership of Dalio.
Dalio has attempted to discredit the book, stating that it is filled with “sensational and inaccurate tabloid” stories aimed at selling books to people who enjoy gossip. He has also accused Copeland of distorting reality, claiming that the author was rejected from a job at Bridgewater and then made a career out of writing distorted stories about him and the company.
In response, Copeland has defended his work, acknowledging that he did apply for roles at Bridgewater but denying that he invented dialogue in the book. He claims that Dalio’s attempt to discredit him is a weak effort at distracting from the facts of the book and the alleged toxic workplace culture that it portrays.
The book details several shocking anecdotes about Dalio’s leadership style, including his massive ego, “radical transparency” that allowed for trivial complaints to be filed, and alleged harassment of women at the company. The biography also reveals that former FBI Director James Comey served as Bridgewater’s general counsel and engaged in questionable practices under Dalio’s leadership.
Despite criticism from Dalio, the biography presents a compelling and controversial look at the inner workings of Bridgewater Associates and its founder, painting a different picture from the public perception of Dalio as an iconic figure in the financial world. Amazon Studios has already acquired the rights to the book, indicating its potential for a gripping and controversial on-screen adaptation.