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NY 'Madoff Law' Would Force Rich Inmates to Pay for Jail

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 21, 2009 11:23 AM CDT

(Newser) – New York lawmakers are considering a “Madoff” bill that would force convicts with deep pockets to pay the costs of their own imprisonment, Reuters reports. “Far too often, taxpayers are stuck with the bill for criminals who have extensive personal wealth waiting for them,” one assemblyman said as convicted financier Bernard Madoff begins his sentence. The state comptroller estimates that each prisoner costs $80-$90 a day.

Though the law references Madoff, the Ponzi king has already been stripped of all of his assets—or at least those he couldn’t hand off to his wife. But the law would have applied to famous inmates like Martha Stewart or Leona Helmsley. The law is also a response to the lavish bar mitzvah one inmate threw for his son inside lower Manhattan’s Tombs prison.

Bernard Madoff is currently serving his life sentence inside at Butner (NC) Federal Correctional Complex.
Bernard Madoff is currently serving his life sentence inside at Butner (NC) Federal Correctional Complex.   (AP Photo)
In this March 10, 2009, file photo, Bernard Madoff exits Manhattan federal court.
In this March 10, 2009, file photo, Bernard Madoff exits Manhattan federal court.   (AP Photo)
The Butner (NC) Federal Correctional Complex, seen July 13, 2009, is currently home to Bernard Madoff.
The Butner (NC) Federal Correctional Complex, seen July 13, 2009, is currently home to Bernard Madoff.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
Toon
Jul 21, 2009 8:34 AM CDT
Sorry, you'll have to wait until the next time I see Corona King being obnoxious.
godawgs
Jul 21, 2009 6:20 AM CDT
good point, but i am little sad not to see any recipe follow it up. I agree with you on this one though. Also I tried the red beans and rice, not to bad.
Toon
Jul 21, 2009 5:47 AM CDT
No no no. Equality under the law. The rich should have the same living conditions as the poor in prison. Once we start charging them they will start lobbying for better conditions based on their class standing. They already get it too easy compared to poorer prisoners who are guilty of lesser crimes.

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