"The report found that GM had little say in whether it could continue to authorize benefits for the salaried retirees, and needed the Treasury Department's consent to offer such benefits. Steven Rattner, leader of the Auto Team -- a four-member group of Treasury officials tasked with guiding GM through the restructuring process -- told the inspector general that at one point GM approached the Auto Team because it wanted to help the salaried employees. Rattner ultimately told the inspector general that there was nothing commercially defensible that could be done for the salaried retirees."  MORE >>