I think this is actually missing the point. Her boss may have been right, and I think he was. But as a regulator she's entitled to file her opinion and have him override it. Then it's all in writing.

The fact that they refused to do this and instead bullied her into their own opinion is remarkable. If they'll do this for something so minuscule, imagine what they'll do for bigger issues.

The tapes aren't exposing that Goldman got away without a conflict of interest policy, they're exposing that the Fed is still refusing to let staff stand by their independent opinions.