Top AOL deal maker gives up daily duties

Citing sources familiar with the matter, The Washington Post said Colburn would no longer handle the business deals brokered by AOL, the world's largest Internet service.

He will, however, continue to work on strategy and other broad issues affecting the service, the sources told the newspaper.

Colburn will retain his post as executive vice president and president of business affairs and development for AOL Time Warner's subscription services and its advertising and commerce businesses, according to the report.

Colburn reported to Robert Pittman, who resigned as AOL Time Warner's chief operating officer as part of a recent management shakeup.

The Post said Colburn's day-to-day duties were being handed to Lance Conn, who is returning to AOL's Virginia headquarters from London, where he helped expand the Internet division's reach in England, France and other parts of the continent.

A spokesman for America Online, John Buckley, confirmed the personnel change, the newspaper said. Colburn was said to be vacationing in Israel and unavailable for comment.

AOL Time Warner disclosed last week that the Securities and Exchange Commission was conducting a fact-finding inquiry into accounting practices at America Online.

Recent articles in the Post reported AOL may have inflated revenue in 2000 and 2001.

AOL Time Warner stood by its accounting practices.

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