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Spitzer to AIG: Show Us the Email

Ex-gov wants answers before feds ditch their stake

By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 20, 2009 8:12 AM CST

(Newser) – The Treasury Department's shopping its 80% stake in AIG, but before it sells, all Eliot Spizter wants for Christmas is for the financial behemoth to finally disclose exactly how it triggered the financial crisis. "Who knew what, and when? Who benefited, and by exactly how much?," questions the ex-gov, writing in a New York Times op-ed with Frank Partnoy and William Black. The answers, they write, lie "in the "trove of email messages still backed up on AIG servers"—and it's time for them to see daylight.

Granted, some emails might contain privileged information, but AIG owes it to the public to post the rest online, where "a thousand journalistic flowers can bloom, as reporters, victims, and angry citizens have a chance to piece together the story." And while AIG execs might well be exonerated, "we would like to see the record to find out."

In this Sept. 17, 2008 file photo, the AIG logo is shown in New York.
In this Sept. 17, 2008 file photo, the AIG logo is shown in New York.   (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, file)
Hey, Time Geithner, before you unload your 80% stake in AIG, Eliot Spitzer thinks you should get a few answers out of them.
Hey, Time Geithner, before you unload your 80% stake in AIG, Eliot Spitzer thinks you should get a few answers out of them.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, file)
Eliot Spitzer says it's time for AIG to open the email vaults.
Eliot Spitzer says it's time for AIG to open the email vaults.   (Getty Images)
Eliot Spitzer smiles while addressing an audience during a Harvard University ethics forum on the school's campus in Cambridge, Mass., Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009. Spitzer's address, at Harvard's Safra Foundation Center for Ethics, is entitled What Should Be the Rationale for Government Participation in the Market?
Eliot Spitzer smiles while addressing an audience during a Harvard University ethics forum on the school's campus in Cambridge, Mass., Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009. Spitzer's address, at Harvard's Safra Foundation...   (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Eliot Spitzer addresses an audience during a Harvard University ethics forum on the school's campus in Cambridge, Mass., Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009.
Eliot Spitzer addresses an audience during a Harvard University ethics forum on the school's campus in Cambridge, Mass., Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009.   (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Eliot Spitzer wants AIG to open up its email vault for public inspection of just what led to its financial downfall.
Eliot Spitzer wants AIG to open up its email vault for public inspection of just what led to its financial downfall.   (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
Pragmaticrealism
Dec 21, 2009 12:28 PM CST
go away you are clueless and indecipherable
bewilderbeast
Dec 21, 2009 10:29 AM CST
Here's one Obama supporter now agreeing with you, concreteskull. Barack has a lot of promises to live up to, and so far: Not good.
bewilderbeast
Dec 21, 2009 10:27 AM CST
Observer, if a pig oinks the right oink, support him IN THAT OINK. You don't have to love him for everything.

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