Pimco faces new allegations - Big winners in Michael Klein's SPAC - BlackRock dabbles in bitcoin

Good morning and welcome to Insider Finance. I'm Dan DeFrancesco, and here's what's on the agenda today:

• More allegations of harassment and discrimination have been filed against $2.2 trillion asset manager Pimco.
• From Citadel to Blackstone, these are the big investors in the Michael Klein SPAC that's soaring on Lucid Motors deal chatter.
• BlackRock is starting to "dabble" in bitcoin at the behest of its clients.

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Pimco's former funds board chair and ex-communications executive face accusations of sexual harassment in lawsuit

More harassment and discrimination allegations against Pimco emerged in a new complaint from three women. Their new allegations have been added to a previous complaint filed in November by two separate women.

Click here to read the entire story.

9 investors are set for a huge windfall as Lucid Motors speculation sends a Michael Klein-backed SPAC skyrocketing

Meet the big-name investors set to make a killing as a result of SPAC Churchill Capital Corp. IV's potential acquisition of Lucid Motors. Read more here.

Don't call it a bailout: Why Melvin Capital and Robinhood say they didn't need the billions of dollars they got amid the GameStop madness

Robinhood and Melvin Capital's founders were adamant during Thursday's Congressional hearing that the billions they raised during the GameStop frenzy were not bailouts or necessary to survive in the moment. See more here.

NBA star Russell Westbrook just led a $63 million investment in Varo, the challenger bank that's looking to expand into lending

NBA star Russell Westbrook just backed challenger bank Varo. The startup's CEO Colin Walsh discussed the investment and the fintech's plans to get into lending. See more here.

BlackRock has begun to 'dabble' in bitcoin because investors are hunting for 'storehouses of value,' according to fixed-income boss Rick Rieder

The world's largest asset manager is getting involved in crypto. Get the full rundown here.

The family of Veritas Capital founder Robert McKeon is looking for $20 million from the firm in a lawsuit that sheds light on its Dyal Capital deal

Family members of Robert McKeon, the late founder of Veritas Capital, claim in a new lawsuit they are entitled to some of the money the PE firm received from deals with Dyal Capital last year. Read more here.

Odd lots:

The wealthy are flocking to the Rocky Mountains, propelling ski-town real estate to new heights (BI)

CEO Mat Ishbia took his company public in the largest blank-check deal ever. He swears by his 'No Meeting Thursday' routine from 3:30 a.m. to 9:40 p.m. (BI)

Apollo Names Ex-SEC Chairman Jay Clayton as Lead Independent Director (WSJ)

Dinan's York Plans to Sell CLO Unit Months After Hedge Fund Exit (Bloomberg)