New York Post

Greenberg demands an apology from AG

- By KEVIN DUGAN kdugan@nypost.com

Maurice “Hank” Greenberg on Monday demanded an apology from New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderm­an — but he shouldn’t hold his breath.

Greenberg, the insurance industry legend who led AIG for 40 years, settled a nearly 12-year court case brought by the state on Friday and is more than a little miffed that the AG issued a statement that made it seem as if he copped to a fraud charge.

Greenberg and his legal eagles made it clear that he didn’t. The group is also angry that news of the surprise settlement was released without their knowledge.

They want Schneiderm­an to apologize for his actions. But the state’s top law man wasn’t on the same page.

When asked if Schneiderm­an would apologize to Greenberg, Eric Soufer, a spokesman, said: “No.”

Greenberg and his team claim they and Schneiderm­an agreed to specific settlement language but that a press release on Friday evening was issued with “somewhat different language.”

“We had agreed on the language of the discontinu­ation of the litigation, which he signed,” Greenberg said. “And the next day, he came out with a statement that repudiated that.”

The 91-year-old executive said he would like to sue the AG, but can’t.

“The problem is that the [AG] has immunity,” he said.

On Friday, Schneiderm­an announced a $9.9 million settlement with Greenberg and former AIG Chief Financial Officer Henry Smith, ending 12 years of litigation over two sham transactio­ns.

Greenberg admitted he had “initiated, participat­ed in and approved these two transactio­ns.” His lawyer, David Boies, said he did not admit to any fraud.

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