The state Democratic Party filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission in April, alleging that the compensation package, coming after McGavick became a candidate, constituted an illegal corporate campaign contribution from Safeco.
Lowney said McGavick and Safeco agreed to "an illegal giveaway of Safeco assets" in an agreement last Dec. 6, after McGavick became a candidate, for him to provide transition services for the first two months of 2006, resulting in $28.4 million in Safeco income for 2006.
Lowney said it violated a contract McGavick negotiated when he became chief executive in 2001 that "clearly stated that if he resigned he would ... forfeit all compensation, including bonuses and stock options, and would get only his last paycheck."
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/279742_mcgavick02.html