Banks, bonuses and supertaxes are making the festive season a little less festive than they might normally. Goldman Sachs has become the international whipping boy on this issue and that trend doesn’t seem to be falling out of fashion just yet. Reuters reports :

Goldman Sachs Group Inc is being sued by an institutional investor who claims the firm is preparing to pay out improper bonuses.

The lawsuit, filed with the New York Supreme Court by the Security Police and Fire Professionals of America Retirement Fund, names chief executive Lloyd Blankfein and other executives and board members as defendants.

Goldman has faced a maelstrom of criticism for setting aside billions for year-end payouts soon after the firm paid back its $10 billion taxpayer bailout.

Goldmans unsurprisingly claims that the case has no merit. However, it will no doubt be watched with interest by commentators who can’t seem to get enough of the Goldman hating. Similar challenges would seem unlikely over here but never say never. Recent polls have shown that 85% of the British public approve of the supertax on bonuses and anger over the issue is unlikely to subside at least until after the election.