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"Extraordinarily Evil": Judge Brings 150-Year Hammer Down on Madoff

Posted Jun 29, 2009 03:30pm EDT by Aaron Task in Newsmakers
In sentencing Bernie Madoff to the maximum 150-year prison term Monday, U.S. District Judge Denny Chin cited the "extraordinarily evil" nature of his crimes.

"Here the message must be sent that...this kind of manipulation of the system is not just a bloodless crime that takes place on paper, but one instead that takes a staggering toll," Judge Chin said.

The ruling provided some solace to Madoff's victims who cheered the sentencing. Several Madoff investors spoke at the hearing and "without exception, attacked Madoff as an unfeeling, horrible, relentless pursuer of their money and souls," says Allan Dodds Frank, a veteran journalist and DailyBeast.com correspondent.

In the accompanying video, Frank recounts the "intensity" of the courtroom, how Madoff "pretty impassively" reacted to the sentence, and how quickly he moved when facing his victims. "If you blinked, you missed it," he says.

A specialist in white-collar crime, Frank said the 150-year sentence almost certainly means Madoff isn't going to any "country club" prison, although that's up the Bureau of Prisons to ultimately decide.

"A sentence of more than 30 years generally means you go to high security if not a super-maximum," Frank says. "150 years? It's hard to say he doesn't go to one of those facilities. They are not a picnic. Even medium-security Federal prison, you're still in with a lot of dangerous people."

54 Comments

Notsomuch
Notsomuch - Monday June 29, 2009 03:53PM EDT

He got more years than some people who commit multiple murders. Don't feel sorry for him, but this tells you that Americans believe that money is more important than lives. Even the idea that lack of money ruins lives, well there you have it. His name is as good as mud, I don't he would be a further threat to society.

Yahoo! Finance User
Yahoo! Finance User - Monday June 29, 2009 04:03PM EDT

Just a small time hood (scapegoat) compared to the ongoing rape of Americans by the banking oligarchs. You can bet that they will never face justice.

Howard
Howard - Monday June 29, 2009 04:04PM EDT

Obama should be next along with all his cohorts...... He%

Howard
Howard - Monday June 29, 2009 04:05PM EDT

Obama should be next, along with all his cohorts...... He is a 'nothing, president!

rtdtn55
rtdtn55 - Monday June 29, 2009 04:07PM EDT

Putting him in jail, is another cost to the public, make him turn over all assets, make him work for .01 % of what he use to make. make him live like the ones that trusted with their money. Make him work about paying 500$ rent, worry about having food to eat. putting him in prison will make him a moucher, let his kids help him an their mother,. Make him work like a dog until he drops dead on the job, like a LOT OF AMERICANS HAVE, because of these money greedy COE,s that take in big money at the sweat of others, they just stand there an make conversation an count the change in their pocket. An then hurry of to a bar,

korokmalfesio
korokmalfesio - Monday June 29, 2009 04:19PM EDT

Bernie Madoff will crack when his family members and close associates start following him to jail. In particular, his sons, business partners, and some early investors must have known what was going on. It is not possible to be closely involved with or do high level for work for a shell investment company and not know that no investments—none, zip, nil— were being made. Also, there is a good chance that his wife was involved. So, she could do jail time too. The prosecutors will opt for recovery now in return for reduced jail time. No cooperation earns a full Monty in a heavy duty prison. The Madoff clan: princes of the prison system. Can't think of anybody that deserves it more.

korokmalfesio
korokmalfesio - Monday June 29, 2009 04:24PM EDT

Bernie Madoff will crack when his family members and close associates start following him to jail. In particular, his sons, business partners, and some early investors must have known what was going on. It is not possible to be closely involved with or do high level for work for a shell investment company and not know that no investments—none, zip, nil— were being made. Also, there is a good chance that his wife was involved. So, she could do jail time too. The prosecutors will opt for recovery now in return for reduced jail time. No cooperation earns a full Monty in a heavy duty prison. The Madoff clan: princes of the prison system. Can't think of anybody that deserves it more.

Niro
Niro - Monday June 29, 2009 04:42PM EDT

extraordinarily evil Yes thats correct !

Niro
Niro - Monday June 29, 2009 04:42PM EDT

extraordinarily evil Yes thats correct !

Niro
Niro - Monday June 29, 2009 04:43PM EDT

Bernie Madoff will crack when his family members and close associates start following him to jail. In particular, his sons, business partners, and some early investors must have known what was going on. It is not possible to be closely involved with or do high level for work for a shell investment company and not know that no investments—none, zip, nil— were being made. Also, there is a good chance that his wife was involved. So, she could do jail time too. The prosecutors will opt for recovery now in return for reduced jail time. No cooperation earns a full Monty in a heavy duty prison. The Madoff clan: princes of the prison system. Can't think of anybody that deserves it more.

yogi9448
yogi9448 - Monday June 29, 2009 04:44PM EDT

Brief solace, for those he riped off. Please, do not put your financial/retirement nest egg in one basket.....If it sounds to good to be true.....

korokmalfesio
korokmalfesio - Monday June 29, 2009 04:50PM EDT

Aaron, do you think Tech Ticker can find a programmer and/or system administrator who approaches web design with more knowledge and dexterity than an old blue wig driving a Hummer. Site technical issues leave a lot to be desired.

Howard
Howard - Monday June 29, 2009 04:52PM EDT

They have to put him away for good, for his own safety. If he gets out, someone will kill him!

Submit to Xenu
Submit to Xenu - Monday June 29, 2009 04:52PM EDT

"Extraordinarily Evil" - Bernie only stole from rich people, somebody let Webster's know that the definition of "Evil" has changed

Submit to Xenu
Submit to Xenu - Monday June 29, 2009 04:53PM EDT

"Extraordinarily Evil" - Bernie only stole from rich people, somebody let Webster's know that the definition of "Evil" has changed

korokmalfesio
korokmalfesio - Monday June 29, 2009 04:58PM EDT

Aaron, do you think Tech Ticker can find a programmer and/or system administrator who approaches web design with more knowledge and dexterity than an old blue wig driving a Hummer. Site technical issues leave a lot to be desired.

Yahoo! Finance User
Yahoo! Finance User - Monday June 29, 2009 05:06PM EDT

Hopefully this is the start of the incarceration of the Madoff clan his sons and family members whom have benefitted from his crimes are not inocent, anyone who worked at his firm had to know it wasn't kosher. Of course it will all be moot if he dies before his appeals are heard and his crimes will be wiped clean just like Ken Lay of Enron. The lawyers will all get rich while his victims will twist in the wind until they die waiting for a few nickels on their dollars. The SEC is also cupable in this event and should be held responsible and at least its investigators should be charged with incompedense and fired without severance and reduced pensions.

do me
do me - Monday June 29, 2009 05:07PM EDT

Sotomayer is extroadinarilly evil and prejudiced too. She belongs in jail

GerritD
GerritD - Monday June 29, 2009 05:08PM EDT

The f**ker got what he deserves! He basically started the DOWNFALL of America.

Larry
Larry - Monday June 29, 2009 05:09PM EDT

He received much less than he deserved. He destroyed so many lives; just like the democrats, Obama, and yes, even a few republicans are perpetrating against the American public. And what price do they pay?

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