Calling the proposal “offensive”, the judge presiding over Hertz Global Holdings’ bankruptcy restructuring condemned the company’s plan to give top managers an additional $15 million in bonuses, and ordered Hertz to revise its proposal.

US Bankruptcy Judge Mary Walrath said Hertz had already made about US $16 million in payments to retain executives before filing for bankruptcy protection in May.

“The incentive plan has serious problems. It seems offensive to give senior executives bonuses when they were paid,” Judge Walrath said, referring to earlier retention payments received.

She also said financial targets set for executives to receive bonuses must be stricter.

“I think more has to be established on why the employees who got their retention bonuses and agreed to stay with the company are not going to do their best to make sure this company survives and succeeds,” Walrath said.

US Trustee Andrew Vara already criticized Hertz’ proposed bonus structure, saying the targets were not tough enough.

Hertz filed for Chapter 11 protection in May.

Hertz initially announced it planned to sell US $500 million in stock which would potentially be worthless

It dropped the controversial idea after concerns by the Securities and Exchange Commission.