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SEC Staffer Was Waved Off Madoff Probe

Investigator's questions could have exposed Ponzi scheme in 2004

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 2, 2009 5:52 AM CDT

(Newser) – An SEC investigator whose questions could have exposed Bernard Madoff's fraud in 2004 was shifted to an unrelated case after raising the alarm, the Washington Post reports. One of the supervisors who told the staffer to focus instead on a mutual funds investigation later married Madoff's niece, and the relationship is now being probed by the SEC.

The SEC investigator was assigned to examine paperwork provided by Madoff on his trading strategy, and found major inconsistencies and trading patterns that didn't make sense. She gave her bosses a list of follow-up questions for Madoff, some of which touched on elements of what was later revealed to be a massive Ponzi scheme. Insiders say she was never consulted on the Madoff case again.

The Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating the relationship between a senior staffer and Bernard Madoff's niece.
The Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating the relationship between a senior staffer and Bernard Madoff's niece.   (AP Photo)
Bernard Madoff exits Federal Court in Manhattan, New York earlier this year. Madoff has been sentenced to 150 years in prison for running a massive fraud.
Bernard Madoff exits Federal Court in Manhattan, New York earlier this year. Madoff has been sentenced to 150 years in prison for running a massive fraud.   (AP Photo/David Karp)
Bernard Madoff is seen at the offices of Madoff Investment Securities, 1999. The SEC looked into his business multiple times over 20 years without uncovering his Ponzi scheme.
Bernard Madoff is seen at the offices of Madoff Investment Securities, 1999. The SEC looked into his business multiple times over 20 years without uncovering his Ponzi scheme.   (AP Photo/The New York Times, Ruby Washington)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
AdaptAndOvercome
Jul 2, 2009 12:55 PM CDT
Cover up anyone? Let's ad more to this conspiracy....how many Bushies were involved in this? With this kind of money involvement....people in high positions had to be covering his ass.
jaguarj
Jul 2, 2009 7:40 AM CDT
Give them all 150 years too!
wwwonderer
Jul 2, 2009 3:27 AM CDT
Well this is my problem with the past 3 years or so. Time and time again we have seen that there have been MULTIPLE warnings about Madoff, about housing, about financial titans gorging themselves. And just about every time buddies looked out for one another instead of the people they are intended to serve. That is the problem I'm having with corporate/bureaucratic culture.

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