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Madoff Gets the Max: 150 Years

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 29, 2009 9:52 AM CDT

(Newser) – A federal judge threw the book at Bernie Madoff today, sentencing him to 150 years in prison, the maximum allowed by law in the $65 billion scam. He called Madoff’s crimes “staggering,” and chided him for not doing all he could to help investigators. He added that not one person had sent a letter asking for leniency for the Ponzi schemer, the New York Times reports.

Madoff had offered an apology of a sort. "I thought I could get out of it," he said of his scheme, but only got deeper in, and failed "for the first time in my life." At the end of his statement he turned to face his victims and said, “I am sorry. I know that doesn't help you.” But the victims weren’t buying it. “Do not confuse Bernie Madoff's prepared statement with remorse,” said one, then turned and said to Madoff, “May God spare you no mercy.”

[Images (3)]

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Michael De Vita, a victim of Bernard Madoff's ponzi scheme, speaks to reporters before Madoff's sentencing outside Manhattan federal court in New York, Monday, June 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Cynthia Friedman, a victim of Bernard Madoff's ponzi scheme, speaks to reporters before Madoff's sentencing outside Manhattan federal court in New York, Monday, June 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

In this March 10, 2009 file photo, Bernard Madoff exits Manhattan federal court in New York. (AP Photo/Louis Lanzano, File)

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I thought I could get out of it. The harder I tried, the deeper the hole. I could not accept for once in my life I had failed. I was responsible for a great deal of suffering and pain. I am in torment .... This is a horrible guilt to live with. - Bernie Madoff at his sentencing

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