DN - AIG Bonuses, and why Obama should fire Geithner, Summers

March 19, 2009
"Perp Walks Instead of Bonuses": Veteran Journalist Robert Scheer on AIG Bonuses, the "Backdoor Bailout" and Why Obama Should Fire Geithner, Summers

Appearing on Capitol Hill, AIG CEO Edward Liddy was repeatedly questioned over why the failed insurance giant is paying out over $165 million in bonuses after it received a $170 billion taxpayer bailout. While the Obama administration is expressing outrage, more details have come to light indicating that some officials have known about the bonuses for months. Meanwhile, little attention has been paid to what might be a bigger scandal: AIGs funneling of tens of billions of dollars in taxpayer bailout money to other banks. We speak to veteran journalist and Truthdig editor Robert Scheer, author of the forthcoming The Great American Stickup: Greedy Bankers and the Politicians Who Love Them.