DE STATECourt of Chancery of Delaware
2009

American International Group, Inc. v. Greenberg

965 A.2d 763Court of Chancery of Delaware • Decided 2009Modified
FLAGSHIPBroad IndemnificationCited 173 times

HOLDING

AIG's top executives, led by CEO Maurice Greenberg, allegedly orchestrated widespread financial fraud that inflated the company's value by billions of dollars. Stockholders sued for breach of fiduciary duty, and the court rejected the executives' attempts to dismiss the case, finding credible allegations of intentional misconduct at the highest levels. This matters to subcontractors because it shows courts will hold company leadership personally liable for fraud—even when they claim broad indemnification protections—if evidence suggests they knowingly directed illegal accounting practices.

KEY FINDINGS

Broad Indemnification

Broad indemnification clauses don't protect executives from personal liability when they actively direct or inspire fraudulent schemes

FULL COURT OPINION