Sokol Joins Brandon, Wins Buffett Praise in ‘Head-Scratcher’
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David Sokol, who left Berkshire Hathaway Inc. after investing in a buyout target, joins departed manager Joseph Brandon in winning praise from Warren Buffett after actions that brought scrutiny to a firm where executives stress the importance of reputation.
Sokol’s contributions to Berkshire were “extraordinary,” Buffett said when he announced his resignation March 30. Buffett said in 2009 that Brandon helped in “righting the ship” at General Re. Brandon left in 2008 after prosecutors named him an unindicted co-conspirator at a trial where four former General Re officers were convicted of helping American International Group Inc. deceive investors through a sham transaction. Brandon wasn’t charged with a crime.