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Madoff May Plead Insanity

Sources say attorneys are considering multiple personality disorder argument

By Drew Nelles, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 28, 2008 3:56 PM CST

(Newser) – You'd have to be a little bit crazy to cook up a $50 billion Ponzi scheme, but Bernard Madoff’s lawyers are exploring taking things a bit further with an insanity defense. “They may even say he has a multiple personality disorder,” a source tells the New York Daily News. Madoff is reportedly taking anti-anxiety meds and barely speaks.

“Insanity defenses rarely work. But if you can influence just one juror, he may stand a chance,” a psychiatrist says, adding that Madoff’s lawyers could claim he has dementia or bipolar disorder. But a criminal attorney doubts that would be successful: “His best defense is making himself essential to discovering where the money is and getting it to the victims.”

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (2)]

Bernard L. Madoff, chairman of Madoff Investment Securities, is seen on his Manhattan trading floor in this photo taken Dec. 30, 1999 in New York. (AP Photo/The New York Times, Ruby Washington)

The Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation was forced to close its doors and lay off all seven of its employees after its assets were frozen as a result of the Madoff financial scandal. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Sources say Bernard Madoff may plead insanity. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)

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Bernie’s family and his attorneys may argue that, somewhere along the line, he had a mental break. They may even say he has a multiple personality disorder. - a Madoff acquaintance

Madoff admitted to his sons that he knew it was a Ponzi scheme. His best defense is making himself essential to discovering where the money is and getting it to the victims. - criminal attorney Edward Hayes

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

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Madoff May Plead Insanity