Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), told CNN that 44's people wanted language inserted in the stimulus bill that would guarantee bonuses in existing employment contracts were honored. Dodd said that his provision limiting bonuses and severance packages had to be modified or lost altogether in response to the push from the administration. According to Dodd he did not author the change, but agreed to it reluctantly. American International Group Inc. has its financial products unit headquartered in Dodd's state. He also claims he knew nothing about the bonuses at AIG until the scandal hit the media last week. Senator Dodd is chairman of the Senate Banking Committee*. But Bloomberg reports the previous regime contemplated paying bonuses to AIG employees in November, 2008 under the TARP agreement. Neil Barofsky, inspector general for the Troubled Asset Relief Program testified before the House Ways and Means Committee today. Million dollar bonuses were paid to 73 employees as "retention pay". Records show about 50 are no longer employed by AIG. Some bonuses have been returned voluntarily by patriotic recipients. Taxpayers now own 80% of AIG which means a shareholders suit could be initiated by the government seeking the recovery of the millions in equity or forcing the company into reorganization. Either way, the bleeding of taxpayer money will continue until the insolvent company is liquidated.*opensecrets.org says Dodd received $103,000 in donations during the 2008 election cycle from AIG, making him the company's largest single recipient. 44 was next in line with $101,232.