WASHINGTON--A Maryland congressman demanded yesterday thatAmerican International Group provide more disclosure concerningretention bonuses it is paying to retain key senior executives.

In the letter, Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., accused AIG of"disingenuous sleight of hand" by disavowing the payment ofperformance bonuses to senior execs in 2008, but then continuing toprovide retention bonuses previously announced in September.

He said AIG was doing this by having the approximately 130 topofficials involved agree to delay receiving their retentionpayments--a first installment delayed from this month to April2009, and the second installment delayed from December 2009 toApril 2010.

AIG spokesman Joe Norton confirmed receipt of the letter, butsaid AIG would have a comment at a later date.

Mr. Norton also cited a joint statement issued Oct. 16 by AIGCEO Edward Liddy and New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo inwhich Mr. Liddy agreed to several actions, including close scrutinyof AIG compensation programs.

Mr. Liddy also agreed in the statement to immediately cancel alljunkets or perks "which are not strictly justified by legitimatebusiness needs." As a result, the statement said, AIG agreed tocancel more than 160 conferences and events, some exceeding morethan $750,000 per event, for a total savings of more than $80million.

But in the same statement, Mr. Norton said, Mr. Cuomo notedspecifically that "these actions are not intended to jeopardize thehard-earned compensation of the vast majority of AIG'semployees--including retention and severance arrangements--who areessential to rebuilding AIG and the economy of New York."

In his letter, Rep. Cummings cited the $85 billion loan thegovernment provided in September "to keep AIG afloat." That programhas since been superseded by another agreement that increased thetotal cash available to AIG but reduced the interest cost andfurther diluted the stake that private shareholders have in thecompany.

"Against this background--and given the massive layoffsoccurring at other major financial entities, includingCitibank--the American taxpayers have a right to know why seniorexecutives at AIG, who are frankly lucky to still have their jobs,need to receive additional bonus payments of any kind to retainthem at AIG," Rep. Cummings said.

He asked in the letter that AIG disclose which executives inwhich AIG divisions are receiving the retention payments, and howmuch they are receiving. He also wants to know the base salaries ofexecutives receiving the retention payments.

Further, he seeks information as to whether all executives aredelaying receipt of their payments until next April or, if anyexecutive is not delaying receipt of the payments, which executivesare receiving payments this month and how much each executive isreceiving.

"Why is it necessary for any AIG executive to receive aretention payment--and why is it necessary that these be scheduledfor April 2009 and April 2010?" Rep. Cummings asked. He also wantsto know what will be the source of the retention payments providedin 2009 and 2010.