Posted on 06/29/2009 9:32:56 AM PDT by outpostinmass2
Home / Business Bernard Madoff gets maximum 150 years in prison Boston.com article page player in wide format.
Convicted swindler Bernard Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in prison Monday for fraud so extensive that the judge said he needed to send a symbolic message to those who might imitate his fraud and to victims who need relief.
Discuss COMMENTS (47) Related Photos Madoff's sentencingApplause broke out in the crowded Manhattan courtroom after U.S. District Judge Denny Chin issued the maximum sentence to the 71-year-old defendant, who said he sought no forgiveness and knew he must live "with this pain, this torment, for the rest of my life."
Chin rejected a request by Madoff's lawyer for leniency and said he disagreed that victims of the fraud were seeking mob vengeance.
"Here the message must be sent that Mr. Madoff's crimes were extraordinarily evil and 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," Chin said.
The judge said the estimate that Madoff has cost his victims more than $13 billion was conservative because it did not include money from feeder funds.
"Objectively speaking, the fraud here was staggering," he said.
Before Chin announced the sentence, Madoff, wearing a dark suit, white shirt and a tie, sat and listened as emotional witnesses described how he spoiled their security.
"Life has been a living hell. It feels like the nightmare we can't wake from," said Carla Hirshhorn.
"He stole from the rich. He stole from the poor. He stole from the in between. He had no values," said Tom Fitzmaurice. "He cheated his victims out of their money so he and his wife Ruth could live a life of luxury beyond belief."
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
He can’t pay back the people he ripped off if he’s in prison.
...so a 70 year old man on his last legs is going to jail? How is that “justice”?
It it my desire that his 150 year sentence pales by comparison to what Obama and the rest of our corrupt and traitorous politicians realize for their rape and destruction of our country.
Our priorities are completely out of whack... why should a master of fraud get a stiffer sentence than a rapist or child molester?
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