April 30--A former United Continental chief executive who left the airline last September amid an investigation into an alleged corruption scandal received total compensation of nearly $15 million in 2015.
The disclosure came in a filing made by the Chicago-based airline late Friday with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
When Jeff Smisek, former United chairman, CEO and president, resigned in September, it was estimated he would depart with a golden parachute of at least $8.4 million and possibly double that amount. His pay package included $94,571 in unused vacation.
Smisek was embroiled in a scandal over a federal investigation into the alleged corruption of the former New Jersey head of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Smisek was replaced as CEO by Oscar Munoz. Munoz had a heart attack in October and eventually underwent a heart transplant. He returned to work last month.
Munoz's total compensation in 2015 at United was almost $5.8 million. His compensation included $34,000 in jet travel between Chicago and his Florida residence "necessitated by his medical condition."
United's filing also showed that another executive, Chief Operations Officer Gregory Hart, saw his 2015 annual incentive pay reduced by $1 million in connection with United's previously disclosed internal investigation into the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey matter.
Hart's total compensation was nearly $3.1 million.
byerak@tribpub.com
