AIG's PR posse raises brows

There's been endless talk about what constitutes legitimate spending for companies that have been bailed out with taxpayer money. We've talked about perks, golf, junkets, executive bonuses, broker bonuses, and sports deals. Another one has just been thrown into the mix: PR firms.

Most would agree that public relations is part and parcel of normal business. But AIG retains no fewer than four firms: Kekst & Company for work on asset sales, Sard Verbinnen on earnings, Hill & Knowlton and Burson-Marsteller for Washington work, Breakingviews notes. Of course, it has it's own PR staff as well. The article suggests that "despite a series if massive bailouts, the company has given little clarity on taxpayer losses to date or indeed much communication directed toward taxpayers at all." 

For more:
- here's the Breakingviews article

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