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$12B Withdrawn From Madoff Accounts Before Arrest

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted May 12, 2009 9:33 PM CDT

(Newser) – Operators of so-called feeder funds withdrew $12 billion from Bernie Madoff's accounts in the year before his arrest, nearly half of it in the final three months, reports the New York Times. The analysis of financial records offers hope that defrauded investors will be able to recoup at least some of their money. The trustee handling the Madoff bankruptcy filed two lawsuits today to regain $6 billion from two funds that worked closely with the financier.

One of the lawsuits, against prominent Florida money manager Jeffry M. Picower and his wife, alleges that the couple knew of Madoff's Ponzi scheme and actually helped him carry it out. Their lawyer disputed the charge. “Mr. and Mrs. Picower considered themselves friends of the Madoffs for over 35 years,” he said. “They were totally shocked by his fraud and were in no way complicit in it.”

In this March 10 file photo, Bernard Madoff exits Manhattan federal court in New York.
In this March 10 file photo, Bernard Madoff exits Manhattan federal court in New York.   (AP Photo/Louis Lanzano, File)
Bernard Madoff arrives at federal court in New York Thursday, March 12, 2009.
Bernard Madoff arrives at federal court in New York Thursday, March 12, 2009.   (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Former financier Bernard Madoff exits Federal Court in Manhattan, New York on Tuesday, March 10, 2009.
Former financier Bernard Madoff exits Federal Court in Manhattan, New York on Tuesday, March 10, 2009.   (AP Photo/David Karp)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Robert_Dada
May 13, 2009 11:31 AM CDT
There's a regulation that financial advisors must act in their client's fiduciary interests. Even if they failed to diversify, he clearly acted outside of their fiduciary interests and as such is guilty of fraud. Quit blaming the victims.
Fondue
May 13, 2009 3:51 AM CDT
1 Billion not enough? If there were a Hell, Madoff would be a permanent resident.
Fondue
May 13, 2009 1:40 AM CDT
What you are saying is that as long as a person can be duped, it's okay. In other words, things such as false advertisement and misleading the public are perfectly fine if they consent to the deal. Sorry buddy, I don't think anyone's going to go with that.

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