Cuomo Could Capitalize on Wall St. Crisis

(NEWSER) - Is Client No. 9 getting back into politics? Eliot Spitzer is considering a 2010 bid for his old job as New York’s attorney general, sources tell the New York Post—assuming Andrew Cuomo vacates the post to run for governor. “My record as governor was disappointing,” Spitzer reportedly told friends, “but the voters will remember my excellent two terms as attorney general.” More»

(NEWSER) - New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said today that most of the top bonus recipients at AIG have agreed to return the money, amounting to more than $50 million, the Wall Street Journal reports. Fifteen of the top 20 beneficiaries of $165 million at AIG's Financial Products unit—which played a critical role in crippling the company—will give up the cash. "They are doing the right thing," Cuomo said. More»

Attorney general charges insurer with 'unwarranted and outrageous expenditures'

(NEWSER) - New York's attorney general today called on AIG's directors to recover millions in “outrageous expenditures,” including golden parachutes to executives even as it neared the collapse that brought an $85 billion federal intervention, the Wall Street Journal reports. Andrew Cuomo is investigating whether the insurer broke state law by making such decisions without consulting its creditor—the state, in this case. More»

Schadenfreude strikes onetime targets of 'Sheriff of Wall Street'

(NEWSER) - Wall Street is reveling in the fall of Eliot Spitzer, who as AG made exposing corruption highly personal, reports the Wall Street Journal. "He actually believes he's above the law," says ex-NYSE director Ken Langone, whom Spitzer sued for paying too much to the Big Board's CEO. "I have never had any doubt about his lack of character and integrity—and he's proven me correct." More»

Banks hid risk of bundled 'exception' loans, insiders say

(NEWSER) - Prosecutors are probing Wall Street banks to see if they ever revealed the risky nature of certain subprime mortgage investments, the New York Times reports. Industry experts are accusing the banks of turning high-risk loans, called exceptions, into investments without divulging details to investors and credit-rating agencies. One probe, led by New York Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo, could lead to charges within weeks. More»