More AIG lies and disguise (another party this week you'll pay for)

October 11, 1:41 PMIndependent ExaminerBrian Trent

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More AIG parties on the American taxpayers' dime.

Even after canceling their much-publicized St. Regis gala in light of public fury, AIG is still moving ahead with a four-day party beginning Monday, October 13… and again, on the taxpayers’ dime. More steaks, shrimps, and massages at the public expense.

In Atlanta this week at the Marriott and hiding beneath the cover of their FSC Securities label (an operating unit of AIG), AIG executives will again indulge in a pleasure palace of perks.

The floundering company which was awarded more than $100 billion of taxpayer money as part of the “bailout plan” came under intense criticism for their half-a-million dollar party tab weeks ago. When it was revealed they had a second party planned, they decided to skip it.

But not really. Hoping to duck unwelcome public scrutiny, AIG is planning on sneaking below the radar with their upcoming Atlanta conference, which comes complete with numerous cocktail hours, expensive dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and off-site opulence of spa services and happy hours. The agenda that was here has been changed since this article's original publication. See the October 21 NOTE below.

(October 21 NOTE: Since posting this article, the corporate agenda I linked to was altered. All "cocktail hours" were mysteriously deleted, and "boxed lunches" were inserted. Also, the "closing night celebration" was changed to a mere "closing night reception." The entire agenda has been given a different gloss than what was originally posted there.)

That’s right. Elite cocktail hours, celebrations, and more dinners. And this agenda doesn’t include the after-hours services that AIG/FSC will run up a tab for… at Atlanta’s nearby clubhouses, bars, and maybe even the spicy Cheetah Club on nearby Spring Street.

Yes! What better way to reward failure and thievery than to take the involuntary gift of a public bailout and throw it at the very people who messed up. Give them steaks, shrimp, champagne, and strippers!

On October 9^th, AIG Chief Executive Officer Edward Liddy declared the “immediate cancellation of all outside meetings, conferences, and recognition events across AIG, except those that are required by law or that are deemed absolutely critical to sustain our ongoing business needs.”

We’re supposed to believe that all this extravagance is “absolutely critical to sustain” them. Gee, can I get a job at AIG? Before they finish going belly up?

Maybe Liddy intends to ship doggie bags to the rest of us, when they get back from Atlanta? Let us eat cake, right?

Anyone else think that AIG should be forced to give back every dollar of their bailout gift?

Tell AIG what you think:

Joe Norton
Director, Public Relations
American International Group, Inc. (AIG)
70 Pine Street
New York, NY10270
212-770-3144

Board of Directors:

boardofdirectors@aig.com

Or if you’re really angry, give them a call:

USA: 1-877-638-4244

Worldwide: 1-908-679-3150