The AIG bonus payments controversy began in March 2009, when it was publicly disclosed that the American International Group (AIG) was to pay approximately $218 million in bonus payments to employees of its financial services division.
AIG is notable for having received taxpayer bailouts and in the fourth quarter of 2008 posted a loss of $61.7 billion, the greatest ever for any corporation. Beyond the $165 million in bonus payments that were recently announced, total bonuses for the financial unit could reach $450 million and bonuses for the entire company could reach $1.2 billion.
Read more about AIG Bonus Payments Controversy: Responses From Lawmakers, Media Commentary, AIG's Response and Counter-responses, Response By State Officials, Bonuses Exempted in TARP, Jake DeSantis's Resignation
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