Reports that troubled insurer AIG will pay out $160 million worth of bonuses with government bailout handouts have caused a public outcry over the past few days.

However, it's not just financial institutions that are reaping the benefits of free, government cash. Bloomberg is reporting that Microsoft also got a piece of the action, and will spend $11 million to build a bridge connecting two areas of its Redmond campus.

A Microsoft spokesman claims the 480-foot span will benefit the area as a whole, not just Microsoft, as a nearby bridge is congested and not good for walking or cycling. You might think this is quite a lame excuse for scooping up government funds, and you would be right.

Microsoft will still cover more than half of the total $36.5 million building cost. Oh yes, did we forget to mention that Microsoft has about $20 billion in the bank?

More here.