New York campaign finance records show American International Group donated $100,000 to the state Democratic Committee just before Democratic Gov. David Paterson and his insurance superintendent launched marathon sessions to prop up the embattled insurer.
The contribution was made Aug. 29. Insurance Superintendent Eric Dinallo started negotiating with AIG and federal officials within about two weeks.
On Sept. 16, Paterson announced the “great news” that New York officials helped the giant insurer strike a historic loan deal with the Federal Reserve to keep AIG afloat.
Spokesmen for the state Democratic party, Paterson, Dinallo and AIG had no immediate comment Thursday.
The state’s effort is credited with giving AIG time to survive.
Now Washington lawmakers are blasting AIG for paying more than $160 million in bonuses to employees of a division primarily responsible for the meltdown that led to an $85 billion federal bailout of the company.
It was a big check even for AIG, which showered New York Democrats — and Republicans when they were in the Senate majority — with thousands of dollars in campaign contributions. But since January 2006, the largest single check had been for just $2,500, and most were about $350 or $500.
AIG and Paterson singled Dinallo out for keeping the effort under way, in part by putting together a $20 billion state plan that was supplanted by the federal bailout. The $85 billion federal loan saved thousands of jobs nationwide, protected insurance policy holders, and salved _ if temporarily _ the nation’s hemorrhaging financial markets while protecting New York City’s financial sector.
In Washington, Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., acknowledged Wednesday that his staff agreed to dilute the executive pay provision that would have applied retroactively to recipients of federal aid. However, Dodd said he was not aware of any American International Group Inc. bonuses at the time the change was made.
Over the years, Dodd has been the top recipient of campaign contributions from AIG employees. During 2007-2008, when he ran for president, he received nearly $104,000 from AIG employees and their families, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan group that monitors money in politics.
(Source: Associated Press)
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4 Responses
while it hurts to pay these bonuses with our $
we have to get off their back if we expect them to run a profitable company & lure top executives to work there.
I think we should tax mr obama on his recent 500k book deal too
There is something wrong with a business plan that includes purchasing the leadership of both political parties, and relying on the Treasury to paper over mistakes. It takes great “brains” to lose money in that business.
Once upon a time, businessmen who bankrupted their companies (along with the families) were stripped of all their personal property, and sometimes sold as slaves.
I wonder if someone remembered to collect sales tax on the deal (why shouldn’t AIG pay sales tax on buying politicians).
And to #1 – what’s wrong with Mr. Obama doing a book deal – it’s honest work (it isn’t like he’s trying to sell a life insurance company)
I have $100,000 to invest.
I am looking for a politician who can swing one million dollar grant, in exchange for my 100k.
Can anyone give me a suggestion?
dear #2 the aig employees were hired to do a job & they obviously did it good enough to deserve their bonus based on their contract.
the company overall may be loosing billions, but they deserve theirs! perhaps all the senators & governors in states that are in the red should loose part of their paycheck because they aren’t doing a good job?