Austerity at bailed-out American International Group - Business - Evening Standard
       

Austerity at bailed-out American International Group

New economic realities are about to hit employees of the American International Group (AIG), which has cancelled meetings and conferences amid uproar over past excesses.

The company has been lambasted for spending $440,000 (£255,000) on a luxury get-together for its insurance agents just days after Washington pumped $85 billion into the company to keep it afloat.

The bill for the staff retreat at a top California resort included some $23,000 in spa treatments.

Congress, the White House and Democratic Presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama all reacted with disbelief and anger over last month's gathering for about 100 independent insurance agents who sell coverage for AIG.

Senate Finance Committee chairman Max Baucus has demanded more details on the event.

"This kind of behaviour is an insult to taxpayers," the Montana Democrat wrote in a letter to Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke.

The company says that it was an incentive for salesmen and would boost revenue in the long term.

Comments

Don't Miss
Rock star: Erin Wasson

Rock star

Erin Wasson is the ultimate anti-supermodel
Maybe it’s because she’s a Londoner … Happy anniversary, Ma’am

Happy anniversary

The monarchy has become stronger and more respected in the past 60 years
Victoria Coren: My obsession with children, five proposals a week and why David and I are no power couple

Victoria Coren

David Mitchell and I are no power couple
The Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition preview party

Summer party

Stars at the The Royal Academy of Arts
London gets ready for the Diamond Jubilee - in pictures

Diamond Jubilee

London gets ready - in pictures
The Glamour Awards - stars turn on the style

Glamour Awards

Stars turn on the style
Duchess of Cambridge is pretty in pink at her first Buckingham Palace garden party

Garden party

Duchess of Cambridge is pretty in pink
FIRST review of Ridley Scott's latest sci-fi blockbuster Prometheus

First review

Is Ridley Scott's Prometheus any good?
Fair-weather goths

Fair-weather goths

The sultry shades of summer darks are coming out of the shadows
Dog save the Queen: Corgis surge in popularity

Dog save the Queen

Corgis surge in popularity