Birchall’s multiple roles are uncommon for a family office manager and illustrate Musk’s faith in him, said Raphael Amit, a management professor at the Wharton School.
Morgan Stanley led the financing package for Musk’s bid andadvised Musk on the successful deal, culminating several yearsof a relationship bolstered by Birchall. Merrill Lynch discharged Birchall in 2010 for “conduct resulting in management’s loss of confidence” that included “sending correspondence to a client without management approval,” according to Financial Industry Regulatory Authority records. Reuters could not ascertain more details about Birchall’s termination and FINRA and Merrill Lynch did not respond to requests for comment.A Morgan Stanley spokesperson said Birchall was well-regarded when he worked at the bank and left on good terms.
When Musk called the diver a “pedo guy” in a response on Twitter, the diver sued him for defamation. In the ensuing trial, it emerged that Birchall, going by the name James Brickhouse, hired a private detective to investigate the diver. Birchall said in court testimony he had an “instinct to protect Musk.”“The idea of loyalty, especially in the family office, is profoundly important,” said the Wharton School’s Amit.