• by Joe Mandese  @mp_joemandese, January 15, 2009

MediaDailyNews late today received a memo that appeared to come from Radio Advertising Bureau President-CEO Jeff Haley's email account, stating that three top executives of the ad trade association have been relieved of their duties due to their exorbitant salaries.

Haley and several RAB spokespeople were unavailable for comment, but a woman answering Haley's office phone this evening confirmed, "We are aware of that. Somebody will get back to you."

The email alleged that three RAB executives - Executive Vice President-Services Mike Mahone, Executive Vice President-Training George Hyde, and Senior Vice President-Internet Services David Casper - were let go because of their high salaries. The email said Mahone and Hyde each earned $280,000 a year, and that Casper earned $164,000 a year, and provided a link to a database containing the RAB's 990 federal tax exempt filings.

The 2007 filing confirms those executives' salaries, and noted that Haley earned $450,000 that year. According to the filing, the RAB paid a total of $2,014,500 to 12 "officers, directors and trustees" during 2007. Former RAB President Gary Fries, now listed as president emeritus, received $250,000 in compensation.

The email alleged that there were also some economic disparities in the salaries the RAB paid these top executives vs. women in the organization with comparable titles, though according to the 990 form, Executive Vice President Marketing Mary Bennett earned $273,000.