Why do the executives of AIG hesitate to distribute the money without the authorities’ consent?

AIG is trying to prevent a new wave of backlash over paying out bonuses to its top executives. The Washington Post reports the company has asked the Obama Administration to approve millions of dollars in promised bonuses. The payments are scheduled to go out next week. AIG doesn’t actually need approval. Because the payments were linked to contracts from last year before received aid from the federal bailout funds. But the Post reports executives still are reluctant to pay without official approval. An earlier round of 2008 AIG employee bonuses drew widespread criticism earlier this year.