Morgan Stanley Fired a Trading Unit Head After Conduct Probe (1)

A senior Morgan Stanley trading executive’s abrupt departure last month was triggered by an internal investigation into his interactions with colleagues, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

The firm terminated Kow Atta-Mensah, who ran the global commodities business, after looking into allegations that he made inappropriate remarks to colleagues, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing the confidential review. There was no explanation for the exit at the time.

Kow Atta-Mensah

Photographer: Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

“Morgan Stanley has opted to excise an employee of the utmost veracity, loyalty and honor,” his attorney, John Singer, said in a statement. “Mr. Atta-Mensah ...