A former Goldman Sachs Group Inc. investment banker begins defending himself Monday against insider-trading charges in a New York trial where his former squash buddy will be the star prosecution witness. Brijesh Goel is charged with passing information on deals involving Goldman to Akshay Niranjan, who worked for Barclays Plc at the time. Niranjan, who allegedly made most of the money from the scheme, flipped on his longtime friend, recording their conversations and cooperating with federal investigators. If convicted, Goel faces prison, deportation to his native India and the loss of his career. Niranjan made more ... (full story)