American International Group, the insurer getting a $152 billion federal bailout, disclosed it will pay approximately $3 million to several executives under deferred compensation plans that will be terminated. These arrangements have come under increased scrutiny as stock holders are questioning the large executive payouts in companies with plummeting stock values.

Personally, I just don't get it. If your company has to have a federal bailout because the business is mismanaged, why do you get a bonus or deferred compensation? Every job that I have ever had tied my compensation to my performance with financial targets. If I didn't hit my goals, my pay reflected this.

I know, these executives claim that there are market forces that they could not control. Like GM, Chrysler and Ford, they claim that their present financial problems have nothing to do with management. They report that it is simply a combination of factors that has put their corporations into bankruptcy.

I have owned and operated four corporations, and I take umbrage with their view. Anyone can steer the ship when the seas are calm. A dog could sit in the CEO seat and do just fine. It is much more complicated to manage when there are challenges. Isn't this what the big bucks were for in the first place?

These sweetheart deals are part of the corporate greed that has gotten our economy in so much trouble. Somewhere along the line, executive salaries took off while there was wage compression for everyone else. Is anyone really worth all that money? Especially with poor performance? Do I get to vote on some of these bailouts?

Barbara Bartlein is the People Pro. For her FREE e-mail newsletter: The People Pro.

I'm not making this up ... Earlier this year, school counselor Sabrina Walker received $2.6 million from the Minnesota Department of Human Services. The payment was intended to go to Hennepin County Medical Center for Medicaid reimbursement. A clerical error directed the check to Walker.

Did she call anyone? Did she check into the matter? Did she say "I don't think the state owed me $2.6 million"?

No. She started spending the money. Right away. The check was sent on March 29 and it cleared the bank on April 4. It's a good thing Walker didn't waste any time!

Walker got herself a sports car, electronic equipment, and jewelry. Being responsible, she also put some money aside for a rainy day. She funded two retirement accounts and bought a $500,000 certificate of deposit and a $500,000 Treasury bond.

On May 17, Walker contacted the state to ask why she received $2.6 million and she was told to return the money. She declined and began spending even more money. She was eventually arrested and charged with four felonies. The state is working on getting the money back.

Forensic accountant Tracy L. Coenen, CPA, MBA, CFE performs fraud examinations and financial investigations through her company, Sequence Inc. Forensic Accounting. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners honored Tracy as the 2007 winner of the prestigious Hubbard Award and her first book, Essentials of Corporate Fraud, will be on bookshelves in March 2008.