"It was a severance package," Mr. Weeks replied.
The Hamptons said the money was a severance payment for their dismissals, but Mr. Ensign's parents termed it a gift.
If it in fact was a severance payment, it could represent an illegal campaign contribution by Mr. Ensign's parents because Cynthia Hampton had served as the treasurer of his political campaign.
There will be a severance package, and, at this point, the goal is to help connect now-former Sprig employees with other companies that are hiring.
Whether he is taking a severance package or simply leaving on his own accord, we don't know, but sources tell us that he is already communicating to some of his direct reports that he will be leaving.
"Many of the people who got this package are support staff — women, single parents, African-Americans," said one employee who was offered a severance package but was unsure about taking it and thus requested anonymity.
MBIA is negotiating a severance package with Mr. Dunton, who declined to comment on Tuesday through a spokesman.
Ms. Economou (left), a lawyer who was laid off last year, used what she said was a modest severance package to open the shop.
"I don't blame them for cutting and trying to save money because things are bad, but there ought to be a decent severance," Ms. Poon said.
At best, it's a small severance or buyout, and a voucher for a discount on one of the hundreds of thousands of unsold cars that G.M. or Chrysler has sitting in inventory.
