Former AIG Manager to Speak at Walton College

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The world of Wall Street finance can be complex and bewildering to many people. The Garrison Financial Institute in the Walton College is hosting a presentation by Gordon Massie, a former manager for American International Group to address the issue of fraud in the business world. Massey, “blew the whistle” in 2005 when he advised federal regulators of alleged fraud and malfeasance he said was routinely practiced by AIG executives to deceive the public, investors and the government.

  Massie has since authored“The Whistleblower’s Dilemma: Confronting Fraud with AIG,” which tells the story of his rise and fall in the world of finance. He will tell more about his story on Thursday, April 28, from 1 to 1:50 p.m. in Willard J. Walker Hall, Room 331.

Topics of Massie’s presentation will cover his position and responsibilities with AIG in early 2005; the nature of AIG's accounting fraud; the reasons he chose to “blow the whistle”; AIG's retaliation against him and his reaction; his legal battle with AIG; his financial victory but subsequent depression; the reasons for AIG’s collapse; his vindication and the lessons learned.Gordon Massie received his Bachelor of Arts in economics and M.B.A. from the University of California Berkeley. He worked in the financial/investment business for 30 years with companies including Texas Commerce Bancshares, Prudential Insurance Co., American General Corp. and AIG. At AIG he was head of the leveraged finance group with management responsibility for 60 investment professionals and nearly $20 billion of investments, including high-yield bonds, bank loans, emerging market debt and distressed/bankrupt assets.

Master of Business Administration students and Walton College undergraduates who attend the lecture will receive speaker credits.