About half the money was distributed shortly before Christmas, only weeks before Brewer leaves office. The largest bonuses of $10,000 apiece went to 10 employees, all but two of whom are paid at least $125,000 annually, placing them among the top 10 percent of all U.S. wage earners.
Brewer was unavailable for comment. Records indicate the bonuses were paid to retain select staff members for the governor's final year in office. More than two dozen other key staff members were not given retention bonuses.