Goldman Sachs to release details of its AIG relationship

Posted Mar 20th 2009 8:15AM by Mark Fightmaster
Filed under: Goldman Sachs Group (GS), Amer Intl Group (AIG)

Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) is set to make some news today, as the company is going to hold a conference call to address "questions from journalists, and clarify certain misperceptions in the press regarding Goldman Sachs' trading relationship with American International Group." Furthermore, the call will be available to you and me over webcast -- according to GS's press release.

GS has drawn some scrutiny after it was discovered that $13 billion of the AIG-marked government funds actually went to GS. GS was not alone, as Sunday's release of spending details from AIG (NYSE: AIG) showed that Deutsche Bank and Societe Generale also received funds. Of the banks on the list submitted by AIG, GS received the most cash: $12.9 billion. Most of these payments were to compensate for collateral demands from hedges GS purchased from AIG.

What is interesting is that Edward Liddy, head of AIG, was at one time the director of GS -- coincidence? And what department did he chair at GS? How about the compensation committee, which paid its top five execs at least $43 million -- each -- in 2007. Yes, each!

Is this Liddy connection simply a coincidence? Perhaps, but I find this story more and more interesting (curiouser and curiouser as Lewis Carroll would say) as more facts come to light. I have a sneaky suspicion that this story may just be the tip of the iceberg.

Tags: AIG, bonus scandal, BonusScandal, Edward Liddy, EdwardLiddy, featured, Goldman Sachs, GoldmanSachs, questionable bonuses, QuestionableBonuses