5. Edward Sampson: $11-million (U.S.)
Often a top-earner in past years, Niko Resources Ltd. CEO Edward Sampson continued to reap big gains in 2011, earning a salary and stock options worth $10.9-million (U.S.) for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2011. But Niko also announced its board of directors decided last summer to cut the number of stock options held by its executive officers. The company offered no reason for the decision, but the move came a month after Niko pleaded guilty under the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act to bribing a Bangladeshi official in 2005 and paid penalties totalling $9.5-million (Canadian). In July Mr. Sampson forfeited 437,500 of his 1.44 million options, while other executives forfeited an additional 131,250 options.Jeff McIntosh/The Globe and Mail