so we were sitting outside of hank greenberg office he said we're going in to meet hain't greenberg he is a renowned businessman who has made a tremendous mark on the rise of a.g.. he is very direct and no-nonsense and he said major you are directing and look him in the eye and get to the point*. the good news is i got the job. [laughter] but that was my eighth introduction to hank greenberg. today we're gathered to mark and congratulate hank on his book "the aig story" i think it underpants -- underpins what he is about. i like kissingers inscription in the back that he talks about you being a major figure in the 20th century that is principled, strongly committed and does not waver in a time of crisis. i think that substantiates that. it is not delay a chronicle of his personal story from the departure of an army officer in the korean war and injury into the insurance industry industry, but the head and ceo of aig into what became literally the largest insurance company in the world was $1 trillion worth of assets. the other side of the story is instructive. the substantive side of t

. >> rose: we conclude with hank greenberg and the a.i.g. story and why he is suing the government on behalf of the stockholders after the government bailed out a.i.g. and paid back the money with interest. >> the fact had to come out what really happened. the so-called accounting scandal turned out toe virally nothing. the corporate governance of the united states changed after enron. boards became more critical of almost anything that everybody was doing but i wanted -- more importantly i wanted the 92,000 people that helped build a.i.g. and all the things they did to make it the greatest insurance company in history. that story had to be told on their behalf as well. >> rose: a president's visit and the story of hank greenberg when we continue. captioning sponsored by rose communications from our studios in new york city, this is charlie rose. >> rose: president obama will travel to the mile east this week. it will be his first time visiting since he entered the white house four years ago. he will meet newly reelected prime minister benja

we said you want to do that, fine. >> and hank greenberg is still not c.d. starr so all these charges that you throw away so cavalier, it's just -- there's no evidence to support that >> deal with facts and reality, not what the greenberg's p.r. firm wants you to believe. >> rose: so you had to leave in 2005? >> i left in 2005. that was board meeting while i was out of town and i was asked to call in from time to time which i did. frank zaab and dick beatty were on when i called in and they said spitzer said i had to resign and now remember i was going to step down in may at the annual meeting and become chairman and stay for a couple of years until i saw how the new transition would work. he said he wanted me out then. i could remain as chairman till the annual meeting and i said i would don't. that then he said i could stay as chairman for an indefinite period. i thought about that and decided against it. but spitzer threatened the board. he was going to indict the board >> rose: at that time when you left credit default swaps had you invested in? >> not m

the head of the washington office, the council on foreign relations and my first meeting with hank greenberg was an interview. those of you who know the president at the time of cfr and pete peterson was the chair. sit in outside of hank's office and put the fear of god in me because were going in to meet with hank greenberg. user would not businessman, has made a tremendous remark on the development and rise of aig and he's very direct, very snappy, time efficient, no-nonsense and he told me, and make sure you are correct. look them right in the eye and get to the point. so i said i will. the good news is i got the job. but that was my introduction to hank greenberg. as cnet today, we are gathered to mark congratulated by mad, hank on this book, "the aig story." the book i think really underpins what hank greenberg is about. in fact, i liked very much henry kissinger's inscription in the back in which he talks about your being truly a major figure in american 20th century, someone's who's principled, strongly committed and does not waver in one principles of the time of crisis. i think this

[laughter] but that was my introduction to hank greenberg. as you know, today we are gathered to mark and to graduate, if i may say, hey got his book, "the aig story." the buck, i think, really underpins what hank greenberg is about. in fact, i liked very much henry kissinger's inscription in the back in which she talks about your being truly a major figure in american business in the 20th-century, someone who is principal cost of a committed, and does not waver on one's principles in that time of crisis. and now think that the story really under currents and substantiates that. the book is not only a chronicle of his personal story, starting with his departure from being an army officer in the korean war and his entry into the insurance industry with continental casualty company. then going on to become the head of -- and ceo of aig. to what became literally in the largest insurance company in the world with almost over a trillion dollars worth of assets so there is the personal side to what there is also the other side of the story, which i

we are going and to meet with hank greenberg. he's a renowned businessman, made a tremendous mark on the development and of aig to write, time efficient, no-nonsense and i'll look you in the eye. he told me, make sure you are direct, look them in the eye and get to the point. so i said i will. the good news is i got the job. , if i may say, hang on this book, "the aig story." the book underpins with hank greenberg has failed. i like henry kissinger's inscription in the back in which he talks about your being truly a major figure in american business in the 20th century. someone who is principled, strongly committed and does not waver on what principles in a time of crisis. this story really substantiates to that. the book is not only a chronicle of his personal story, starting with his departure from the unit army officer in the korean war and its entry into the insurance industry with continental casualty co., the 10 going on to become the head of ceo h. aig. bringing it to what became the largest insurance company in the world

that was my introduction to hank greenberg. well, as you know, today, we're gathered to mark and congratulate, if i may say, hank, on his book, "the iag story," and the book, i think, really underpins what hank is about. in fact, i like very much henry kissinger's inscription in the back talking about your being truly a major figure in the american business in the 20th century, someone who is principle, strongly committed, and does not waiver on one's principles in o time of crisis. i think this story really undergirds and sub stanuates that. the book is not only a chronicle of his personal story starting with his departure of being an army officer in the korean war, and his entry into the insurance industry with continental casualty company, but then going on to become the head of and ceo of a, -- aig, bringing it to what became, literally, thee largest insurance company in the world with almost over a trillion dollar worth of assets. there's a personal side, but there's also the other side of the story, which is a very instruc

but that was my introduction to hank greenberg. well, as you know today we are gathered to mark and congratulate, and if i may say, hank, on his book, "the aig story." the book i think really underpins what hank greenberg is about. in fact, i like very much henry kissinger's inscription in the back, in which he talks about, truly a major figure in american business in the 20th century, someone who is sensible, strongly committed and does not waver on one's principles in a time of crisis. and i think that it really undergirds and substantiates that. the book is not only a chronicle of his personal story, starting with his departure from being an army officer in the korean war, and his entry into the insurance industry with continental casualty company, but then going on to become the head, and ceo, of aig, bringing it to what became literally the largest insurance company in the world with almost over a trillion dollars worth of assets. so there's a personal site but there's also the other side of the store, which is a very instructi

. >> hank greenberg and david boies says it is so unconstitutional. breaking news.re than doubled they want in the amount of damages to u.s. government to 55 billion, way up from 25 billion. they're essentially saying aig was harmed in the rescue. investors were harmed by this rescue. they're saying that they want $32.5 billion back and collateral paid out to settle trades on 100% on the dollar with companies like goldman sachs and calyon and sewtae general. here is david boies bringing suit on behalf of aig. here is what david boies says. >> what the government did in the takeover of aig was to take private assets and use it for public purposes without compensating the owners. >> he is saying that is in violation of the constitution. taking clause, other side of the argument, don't do bailout. go bankrupt. you didn't have rightful access to the fed discount window. you weren't a bank. this is big slug fest. the fact they doubled dollar amount is big deal on top of that david boies and hank greenberg are taking fight to the aig board which rejected a move to join th

ashley: former aig chief hank greenberg scoring a major legal victory in his lawsuit over uncle sam's bailout of the insurance giant. liz macdonald is here with the bottom line. this is getting uglier by the second. liz: yes a big slugfest, 25 billion dollars lawsuit -- tracy: we have black smoke, that's not good. ashley: very black. there you go. tracy: at this point a new hope has not been selected. quite frankly it would have been really quick this they had selected already. it was not expected at all. ashley: officially the black smoke has gone up. tracy: i have to admit i'm a little disappointed. why are you laughing? liz: you wanted the breaking news on the show; right? tracy: we need a pope. liz: if you are catholic, yes. here's the latest in the breaking news story, developing story, yesterday hank greenberg, won class action status for their lawsuit against the federal government. today the latest breaking developments is david boyce on behalf of greenberg is saying listen we still want the aig -- the company to join the lawsuit. the board did not act independently when it re

he is having better luck with hank greenberg, in a different court, david boyd just one. br with one login... to easily move my money when i need to. plus, when i call my local scottrade office, i can talk to someone who knows how i trade. because i don't trade like everi'm with scottrade. me. (annouer) scottrade. awarded five-stars from smartmoney magazine. neil: well he almost made al gore president, but now making big problem forever u.s. government, uber lawyer, david boyd. alowing a $5 billion class-action lawsuit against the government, suit claims part of the aig bel bailout was unconstitutional, representing a company starter international, david boies taking on the government, here and only here, by the way, before we get to david, the treasury department gave us this statement, two months ago, aig board reviewed the allegation against the company, and decides that they were not worth pursuing we continue to believe that claims have no merit, and we'll continue to defend the case vigorously. what do you make of just that? >> well, you would expect them to say that, they almo

and that was my introduction to hank greenberg. well, we are gathered today to honor and congratulate hank on his book. the aig story. i like very much henry kissinger 's inscription in the back, in which he talks about being a major figure in the 20th century, someone who is principle, does not waver on one's principles in a time of crisis. i think this story substantiate that. the book is not only a chronicle of a personal story, starting with his departure from being in army officer in the korean war and his entry into the insurance industry. but then going on to become the head of aig. bringing it to what became literally the largest insurance company in the world with almost over $8 trillion. there is the personal side. but there is also the other side of the story, which is a very instructive one. that is the site of this book specifically set forth very profound and serious questions about governments and regulation in the financial industry. what are the unintended consequences of these regulations? and what does it include

no wonder aig is not joining the former ceo, hank greenberg's $55 billion class action suit against thent. the suit claims part of that bailout that was pushed in the middle of the meltdown was unconstitutional, and sloppy to say the least. greenberg is here and only here. now, we had your lawyer, david boyce, here yesterday arguing the case, and you have the e-mail, the exchanges, and the threats to make the case; right? >> absolutely. neil: what do you think? >> a lot of it will come out in discovery and in depositions, of course, but a lot of it is already in my book, all been verified. we would not put anything in there that was not. there's many reasons why we've done that. one, it's unconstitutional, and that's wrong. neil: which you -- bring people up to speed on this. in the middle of the meltdown, you argued that onerous conditions put on aig unlike any other institution rescued, rates at 50%, and further, that rescue money given to aig was, in fact, a piggy bank to dole out -- through aig to others. >> that's correct. neil: treasury secretary at the time, hank paulson, said th

neil: we'll see, we'll have you back later in the show, remember what former aig boss hank greenberg of on show explaining why he wanted to sue the government that rescued his company, and his dr. david boies on the show, saying why it made sense for him, and why aig to get onboard and join the suit, today we find out, yes or no, aig, in or out? we went to the very top, because the aig ceo robert benmosche is here. and only here. your finances can't manage themselves, but that doesn't mean they won't try. bring all your finances togeth th the help of the one person who can, a certified financial planner professional. cfp -- let's make a plan. got you ! you cannot escape the rebel forces ! ahhh. got you ! got ya ! gotcha ! got ya. that's all you got, brother ? take that. never having to surrender the things that matter. gotcha. that's powerful. verizon. 7 neil: aig ra'anan ad campaign, just before that, thanking u.s. government, but, there is another issue here. why is it after they turn down going following us in that, they sue the new york fed? they are now suing the new york fed. n

government, you had your own issues with the government, but at local government, eliot spitzer and hank greenbergtill ceo with his risk management? >> i think that if hank were still there during that period of time, you would not seen an fp do what it did. you would not see the lending program get out of control. he would've realized that part of aig was selling mortgages and the other part was insuring mortgages and buying mortgages and he would've -- >> aig was partly linchpined and allowed all the rating agencies to keep with the aaas. on piers morgan, i blamed the financial crisis on eliot spitzer in a tongue in cheek way. and piers morgan, you know, they cut the entire part. i think he was getting make-up because he still a show on cnn at that point. they cut that out, but i said let's blame the whole thing -- if you connect the dots. that's overstating it. >> it's overstating it. but i believe if hank were there, if we look at our sec lending program, went from $60 billion to $80 billion after he left. a lot of that was subprime and sec lending. you can see the patterns of what was going o

hank greenberg, former head of aig, you remember aig? well, mr.the size of his lawsuit against the government and oh, by the way, you the taxpayer, to $55 billion. alison kosik is at the new york stock exchange. remind us again why taxpayers might be a little outraged at this. >> first of all, hank greenberg is kind of a persistent guy with even lawmakers in the past calling him somebody who's got a lot of chutzpah doing this. what he did was updated his complaint yesterday in a lawsuit that's already in the process and what this lawsuit alleges is that when the government bailed out aig in 2008, he's saying it was unconstitutional and cheated shareholders out of billions of dollars. you remember the government spent $182 billion rescuing aig during the height of the crisis. talk about biting the hand that feeds you. this is really clearly it. greenberg, though, he's going at this alone. the company says no, we are not backing your effort because then you've got aig's current chief, he's been very outspoken about the fact that company has paid the

neil: we'll see, we'll have you back later in the show, remember what former aig boss hank greenberg of on show explaining why he wanted to sue the government thatescued his company, and his dr. david boies on the show, saying why it made sense for him, and why aig to get onboard and join the suit, today we find out, yes or no, g, in or out? we went the very top, because we went the very top, because the aig ceo robert benmosche is today is gonna be an important day for us. you ready? we wanna be our brother's keeper. what's number two we wanna do? bring it up to 90 decatherms. how bout ya, j? let's go ahead and brg it online. attention on site, attention on site. now starting unit nine. some of the world's cleanest gas turbines are now powering some of america's biggest cities. siemens. answers. i took my son fishing every year. we had a great spot not easy to find, but worth it. but with copd making it hard to breathe, i thought those days might be over. so my doctor prescribed symbicort. it helps significantly improve my lung function starting within five minutes. symbicort doesn'

>> well, hank greenberg, truly an icon of american dismissed. this book, "the aig story" is a must-read for those who are can learn and care that he had tended consequences of governmental regulation of industry, particularly financial institution in the future of the american economy. thank you for coming today. [applause] >> now ian morris looks at the development of civilizations of the past 15,000 years and uses current measurement for human development to explain what the center for advancement due from the east to the west. this is an hour and 15. >> good evening. i am heidi hsu, president of world affairs council washington and it's my pleasure to welcome me to the world affairs council domain of world affairs today. thank you for joining us for a discussion with ian morris, author of "the measure of civilization." ian morris is a professor of classics and professor of history at stanford university. a british foreign archaeologist classicist and historian looks for broad pattern and overall shapes and history that cannot millennia, not e

and that was my introduction to hank greenberg. well, we are gathered today to honor and congratulate hank on his book. the aig story. i like very much henry kissinger 's inscription in the back, in which he talks about being a major figure in the 20th century, someone who is principle, does not waver on one's principles in a time of crisis. i think this story substantiate that. the book is not only a chronicle of a personal story, starting with his departure from being in army officer in the korean war and his entry into the insurance industry. but then going on to become the head of aig. bringing it to what became literally the largest insurance company in the world with almost over $8 trillion. there is the personal side. but there is also the other side of the story, which is a very instructive one. that is the site of this book specifically set forth very profound and serious questions about governments and regulation in the financial industry. what are the unintended consequences of these regulations? and what does it include