[Liz]

Madoff financed many politicians. The Center for Responsive Politics has looked into the matter of the Madoff family’s political contributions between June 1993 and October 2008.

Federal Election Commission records show that members of the Madoff family made some 250 political contributions to 45 candidates and committees totaling $391,350.

The largest individual recipients were Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA), $34,000; Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), $31,000; Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), $25,000; Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, $23,500; Rep. Richard Gephardt (D-MO), $12,000; Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), $6,600; and Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), $4,500. The Democrat Senatorial Campaign Committee, which Schumer currently chairs, received $104,050. Among Republicans, the lion’s share of Madoff family contributions went, oddly enough, to Rep. Jack Fields (R-TX), $13,000. Sen. John McCain received $2,000.

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Politicians are held to a HIGHER legal standard than ordinary folk. The fact remains....... if pols profited from Madoff's illegal financial dealings, they are aiding and abetting. And if they are withholding info from authorities, they are guilty of obstructing and delaying justice.

[Liz]

It is particularly relevant that Madoff’s investors were affiliated exclusively w/ Orthodox Judaism----no other institutions connected with Reform, Conservative or Reconstructionist branches of Judaism invested with Madoff.....

The average "hate-filled anti-Semite" might ask: How can Orthodox be designated "disadvantaged minorities" when they are investing hundreds of millions of dollars w/ Madoff?

BGRND Orthodox Judaism was designated a "disadvantaged minority" under Lyndon Johnson's "Great Society." This meant that Orthodox became beneficiaries of millions upon millions of tax dollars----federal community development funds. Federal and city assistance received over the years include CETA (Comprehensive Employment Training Act) monies, Section 8 housing assistance, school meal funds, Headstart, HUD grants, and low interest loans. In 1984, federal aid was expanded when the federal government included Orthodox in a priority group of six disadvantaged minorities recognized by all federal agencies.

Ira Rennert, Fifth Avenue Synagogue board chair invested some $200 million w/ Madoff. Rennert is also GMAC chairman.

Hamptonites complain this astoundingly palatial mega-mansion in the posh Hamptons is actually a "synagogue-residence-yeshiva" for Orthodox Judaism students. The complex---which rivals Versailles and Buckingham Palace----was built by Fifth Avenue Synagogue board chair Ira Rennert.

Is this astoundingly palatial oceanfront Hamptons mega-mansion
a "synagogue-residence-yeshiva" for Orthodox Judaism students?

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It is believed that J. Ezra Merkin, Fifth Avenue Synagogue president, through Mr Merkin‘s Ascot Partners fund, had about $1.8 billion invested w/ Madoff. Members of the Fifth Avenue Synagogue, located on the wealthy Upper East Side of Manhattan, are estimated to have lost about $2 billion. Mr Merkin was also Chairman of Yeshiva University Investment Committee, He introduced clients to Madoff and gave him access to prominent Jewish charities and universities.

REFERENCE Yeshiva University is a huge complex and Orthodox stronghold---it maintains four campuses in New York City and a campus in Israel: along with dormitories, a library, a hospital and other medical facilities; several Graduate and Professional Schools, rabbinical schools, a museum, academic centers and institutes for high school level students, and centers for Israeli studies in New York, and in Israel, etc, etc, etc.