Failed  green-energy company Solyndra still owes the US taxpayers around a half  billion dollars. A bankruptcy judge today allowed paying out $370,000  in bonuses to some employees.

The  company is already the target of more than one congressional over-sight  committees looking into charges that loans to the company may have been  conducted improperly by the Energy Department.

There  have also been allegations of voter influencing. The company was asked  by the Administration in emails to hold off announcing that the company  was closing its doors and laying off people until after the 2010  election.

A  Delaware bankruptcy  judge has approved close to $370,000 in bonuses  for certain employees  of Solyndra LLC, a solar panel manufacturer that  received a half-billion  dollar loan from the federal government before  declaring bankruptcy.

Solyndra,   based in Fremont, Calif., wanted to award bonuses of up to $500,000 to   as many as 21 employees but scaled back its request after discussions   with its official creditors committee.

The judge approved the revised bonus request following a hearing Wednesday.

Solyndra,   which has failed to find a buyer to operate the company as a going   concern, says it needs to retain key employees with the expertise needed   for an orderly liquidation of its remaining assets.

Attorneys for former Solyndra workers laid off just before bankruptcy filing objected to the proposed bonuses.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SOLYNDRA_BANKRUPTCY?SITE=RIPRJ&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

The question is when will American taxpayers be paid back the half billion dollars?

From the Cornfield, this seems like another poke in the eye to the American taxpayer.

For more information:

The Solyndra Problem

Did The Obama Administration Try and Influence the Mid-Term 2010 Election?

Politics Powers Energy Decisions of Obama Administration