Nortel's former CEO Mike Zafirovski is trying to get millions of pounds from the insolvent networking equipment maker.
Zafirovski, who left the company in August, is claiming more than $12m, according to Financier Worldwide.com
A filing at a US bankruptcy court revealed that this includes $2.4m - the equivalent of two years' pay - $3.8m in bonuses under a company's incentive scheme, $50,000 in insurance benefits, and at least $6m in pension benefits.
"I think it is safe to say that I was shocked," said a spokesman for Nortel Retirees and former employees Protection Canada. "I was amazed and I am frankly staggered by his effrontery."
Nortel filed for bankruptcy protection in the US and Canada in January. In September, Avaya won an auction to buy a division of the company for $915m.
