Geithner: I Take Full Responsibility

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 19, 2009 6:26 PM CDT
Geithner: I Take Full Responsibility
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner looks on at left as President Barack Obama makes remarks on AIG Wednesday.   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

Treasury chief Tim Geithner said today that he asked Chris Dodd to add a stimulus loophole allowing AIG to dole out bonuses. Geithner told CNN he felt he had no choice because the government would have been vulnerable to lawsuits if it tried to stop them. "But we also worked with (Dodd) to strengthen the overall framework, and his bill has this very important provision we're relying on now to go back and see if we can recoup payments that were made that there was no legal ability to block."

Geithner's been under heavy criticism for allowing the bonuses under his watch. "You know, it's my responsibility," he said. "I was in a position where I didn't know about those sooner, I take full responsibility for that." He again maintained that he didn't learn of "the full scale" of the bonuses until March 10. The interview airs tonight on Campbell Brown's show.
(More Timothy Geithner stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X