A New York appeals court granted Maurice "Hank" Greenberg permission to review documents that American International Group says he should not be allowed to see, to protect its attorney-client privilege.
The New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, in New York, reversed a lower court ruling that Mr. Greenberg, AIG's former chief executive officer and chairman, and Howard I. Smith, the company's former chief financial officer, could not review certain company documents in preparation for their defense of a suit bought by New York's attorney general.
In its decision, the court said both executives have a right to review documents related to their tenure with the company. The court said the defendants have a qualified right to inspect documents "to protect their personal responsibility interests." That right only extends to the period of time they worked with the company.
An AIG spokesman said the company plans to appeal the ruling.
The case in question dates back to 2005 when then New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer sued AIG, Mr. Greenberg and Mr. Smith for improper conduct.
Mr. Greenberg was forced out of the company in 2005 after allegations surfaced that the company was involved in securities fraud, bid-rigging and other charges of misconduct.
AIG subsequently settled the case with a record $1.64 billion settlement over state and federal allegations.
Mr. Greenberg contends neither he nor the company did anything wrong, and has been battling both AIG and prosecutors since. He was named as unindicted co-conspirator in the ongoing Gen Re case that is before the jury in federal court in Connecticut.
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