Welch Sends Autographed Book to Regulator Who Blocked Merger

CERNOBBIO, Italy — Jack Welch, who retired as General Electric Co. chairman last week, sent an autographed copy of his book--”Jack, Straight from the Gut”--to Mario Monti, the European regulator who blocked the acquisition the executive hoped would crown his career.

Fiat Chairman Paolo Fresco delivered the book to Monti Saturday in the lobby of the Villa d’Este hotel on the banks of Lake Como in northern Italy.

Fresco, a former General Electric executive who attended Welch’s retirement party last week, and Monti are attending a conference here.

Monti, European competition commissioner, chuckled when he saw the cover of the book--a photo of a smiling Welch.

The book contained Welch’s “handwritten greeting and a personal note,” said Fresco, who did not disclose the exact wording.