Cuomo Orders BofA to Name Bonus Takers

Subpoena issued after CEO's grilleing by Merrill bonus probe

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 27, 2009 7:26 AM CST

(Newser) – Bank of America CEO Kenneth Lewis has been ordered to hand over a full list of Merrill Lynch execs who received bonuses just before the bank took over the company, reports Reuters. Lewis was grilled for hours yesterday in the offices of New York AG Andrew Cuomo, who's looking into $3.6 billion in bonuses handed out ahead of the government-backed merger.

"We've been asking for a list of who got what," Cuomo's assistant said. "We obviously wanted to question Mr. Lewis about this list and are very disappointed that Bank of America has chosen not to produce it."

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Bank of America Corp.'s CEO Ken Lewis, center, is surrounded by reporters as he arrives at New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's office, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Bank of America Corp.'s CEO Ken Lewis, center, is surrounded by reporters as he arrives at New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's office, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009 in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Former Merrill Lynch & Co. CEO John Thain leaves the office of New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009 in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

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The attorney general is severely disappointed in Bank of America’s decision in not turning over specific information: who got what bonus at Merrill Lynch.
- Benjamin Lawsky, special assistant to New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo

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Cuomo Orders BofA to Name Bonus Takers