U.S. opposes releasing a dying Bernard Madoff from prison early

[webfact]

U.S. opposes releasing a dying Bernard Madoff from prison early

By Jonathan Stempel

 

FILE PHOTO: Bernard Madoff exits the Manhattan federal court house in New York on January 14, 2009. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. government opposed Bernard Madoff's request to be freed from prison even if he is close to death from kidney failure, saying he has never accepted responsibility for his massive Ponzi scheme or shown compassion for victims.

 

In a Wednesday night court filing, prosecutors said denying the 81-year-old Madoff's request would uphold victims' and public faith in the justice system.

 

They said Madoff should continue serving his 150-year sentence, to ensure that "one of history's worst fraudsters" faces the consequences of his crimes.

 

"Madoff's crimes were extraordinarily evil," prosecutors said. "His sentence was appropriately long. It should not be reduced."

 

Prosecutors also said roughly 500 of the 520 victims who wrote to the Manhattan federal court about Madoff's request opposed it, including an 84-year-old who said: "Why should he be shown any compassion, when he had none for his many victims?"

 

The filing came one month after Madoff sought "compassionate release," saying he had fewer than 18 months to live and hoped to move in with a friend.

 

"Madoff, despite what the government might claim, is remorseful for his conduct," and "remains hopeful" his request will be granted, his lawyer Brandon Sample said in an email.

 

Madoff has spent roughly 10-3/4 years in prison.

 

His case is the biggest test of the First Step Act, a bipartisan law signed by President Donald Trump in December 2018 affording early freedom to some older prisoners, often for health reasons.

 

Among those released is Bernard Ebbers, who once led phone company WorldCom Inc. He died on Feb. 2 at age 78.

 

Prosecutors said Madoff used his firm Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC to swindle thousands of individuals, charities, pension funds and hedge funds, including many with ties to the Jewish community.

 

A court-appointed trustee estimated Madoff's customers lost $17.5 billion. Nearly $14 billion has been recovered.

 

Madoff was arrested in December 2008 after admitting his fraud to his sons, who have since died, and pleaded guilty three months later to 11 criminal counts.

 

His fate will be determined by Circuit Judge Denny Chin, who called Madoff's crimes "extraordinarily evil" when imposing the 150-year sentence in June 2009.

 

In seeking Madoff's release, Sample said his client is confined to a wheelchair and battling several illnesses, and would pose no danger to anyone if released.

 

But prosecutors said Madoff has improved since he resumed kidney dialysis treatment in November, and while ill he could live more than 18 months.

 

They also said his request last year that President Trump commute his sentence was mainly so he could care for his wife Ruth in her old age, "apparently confident" his health would allow it. Trump has not acted on that request.

 

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-03-05

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[ratcatcher]

I suggest that when Mr Madeoffwithmillions dies, the authorities place him in an appropriate tomb.

[AlexRich]

A number of people committed suicide following Bernie’s mammoth fraud ... leave him where he is.

[new2here]

I tend to agree with the above.  While I think there is, and should be, room for compassion in post-incarnation early release, I think the overriding issue to be addressed is compliance and adherence to the penalties imposed by the court at the time of sentencing and the impact that has in the criminals victims - be that individually or collectively.

 

 

[Chomper Higgot]

7 minutes ago, AlexRich said:

A number of people committed suicide following Bernie’s mammoth fraud ... leave him where he is.

Including his son.

[worgeordie]

Does everyone who is dying in a US prison,get released ..... ?

if the answer is no,then what makes him special.

regards worgeordie 

[OneMoreFarang]

Release him if he has no money and has to live rouge in the streets.

 

Before:

 

After:

 

[muffy]

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Release him if he has no money and has to live rouge in the streets.

 

Before:

 

After:

 

I wish I was broke like him .

[sandrabbit]

I remember the Guinness chairman being released from prison early after his counsel appealed due to his Alzheimer's, he then became the only person to be cured of it. Look at Weinstein and his zimmer frame, it's obvious he doesn't need it as he can't use it properly.

Edited March 5, 2020 by sandrabbit

[Ian Nagle]

He should have done an Epstein, although he did NOT commit suicide. 

Edited March 5, 2020 by Ian Nagle

[legend49]

Donny will pardon him as he only watches Fox TV never reads so he will be compared with Roger Stone as another future donating Trumper.

[kamahele]

3 hours ago, worgeordie said:

Does everyone who is dying in a US prison,get released ..... ?

if the answer is no,then what makes him special.

regards worgeordie 

Yes, just recently another high profile white collar criminal was released and died shortly after. Not to say Madoff deserves the same.

[worgeordie]

8 minutes ago, kamahele said:

Yes, just recently another high profile white collar criminal was released and died shortly after. Not to say Madoff deserves the same.

I was thinking poor people ....

regards worgeordie

[curious297]

This guy managed to rip people off to the tune of $17.5 billion, got to live the life of luxury, people including his own son committed suicide or died poor due to his shenanigans and now Madoff wants out of jail after serving less than 11 years because he believes he is dying, mmmmmm...

 

Think about all the following (click to read more --->) top 10 non violent marijuana life sentence cases that most all have been declined clemency and denied parole even spending double the time in jail than madoff with no hope of justice.

 

Serving a Life Sentence for Marijuana

Nearly 70 people are serving a life sentence for marijuana charges that include no violence; according to the American Civil Liberties Union although there may be more as the data does not specifically break out marijuana only offenders. Justice has certainly not been served for any of these men and women. Older inmates are serving sentences of life without parole and wonder if they will die behind bars, which is why these laws need to change.

 

I'm just saying.........

[tifino]

if any Claims pop up of him apparently 'dying' 

 - make sure there are plenty of witnesses to confirm he doesn't magically  jump out of the formaldehyde...  

[Jonnapat]

Many more prominent financiers should be behind bars but the great majority escaped any real punishment for their actions, more's the pity.

[Scott Tracy]

In jail, the American people have to look after him. If he is released, he has to look after himself. A winner, yes?

 

Whilst I empathise with those who were defrauded, (I suspect greed paid a part) Madoff should be released in my view, to stop being a burden on the people of the United States. 

If he lives past the 18 months at the home of his 'freind', those remaining victims can keep an eye on him.

[Pib]

1 hour ago, Jonnapat said:

Many more prominent financiers should be behind bars but the great majority escaped any real punishment for their actions, more's the pity.

 

And Donald is not helping by pardoning white collar criminals.

 

https://www.axios.com/trump-blagojevich-commute-dea0607a-d305-4ca4-896b-3f0182f0efd7.html

Quote

President Trump announced Tuesday that he would commute former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's 14-year prison sentence for extortion, bribery and corruption — as well as issue full pardons for former San Francisco 49ers owner Edward DeBartolo Jr., former NYPD Commissioner Bernie Kerik and financier Michael Milken.

The big picture: The president's clemency spree largely benefited white-collar criminals convicted of crimes like corruption, gambling fraud and racketeering, undercutting his message of "draining the swamp."

 

[Tug]

Good but transfer him from club fed to Angola general population 

[rgraham]

Let him rot in there, he destroyed people's lives.

[GinBoy2]

I'm always intrigued why a white collar crime guy seems to think he, or she deserves different treatment.

 

If this was this some dying black dude convicted on a drug charge do you honestly think early release would even be on the table?

[sirineou]

People have and are dying in the financial prisons he build for them, Let the A hole rot. 

[Iron Tongue]

Madoff's wife lives in a nice condo in Greenwich, Connecticut and was allowed to keep $2,5000,000.  Far less than the luxury she was accustomed to, but still a very comfortable life.

 

Bernie wants to go there to live out his last days.

 

I think he should remain in prison for the entirety of his 150-yr sentence.  After that, whatever's left of him should be flushed down the toilet where they will flow to New Jersey!

[sandrabbit]

7 hours ago, Tug said:

Good but transfer him from club fed to Angola general population 

no Angola is not so bad, Bangladesh would teach him a lesson

[daveAustin]

PLOT TWIST: Maddy sees out his term and is duly released mid 22nd century.

US gov: