Cuomo Charges Madoff Feeder With Fraud

Nonprofits say Merkin invested millions without their knowledge

(NEWSER) - New York investigators widened their inquiry into Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme yesterday, as claims emerged that a middleman may have defrauded charities of millions of dollars. Money manager Ezra Merkin allegedly invested the money of 15 nonprofits in Madoff funds without their knowledge, reports the New York Daily News. New York AG Andrew Cuomo has now subpoenaed Merkin, the first figure besides Madoff to be targeted by authorities. More»

Merkin unloads art, but buyer's identity a mystery

(NEWSER) - Ezra Merkin, the financier who pumped billions of his clients' money into Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme, is selling more than 10 paintings by Mark Rothko and two sculptures by Alberto Giacometti for $310 million, reports the Wall Street Journal. Some of the proceeds may go to his defrauded investors, who include charities and nonprofits. More»

Cuomo pushes Merkin out

(NEWSER) - Thanks to some strong arming from Andrew Cuomo, financier J. Ezra Merkin is stepping down as manager of his hedge fund and placing it into receivership, the Wall Street Journal reports. Cuomo charged Merkin in a civil fraud complaint last month, saying he “betrayed hundreds of investors,” by pumping $2.4 billion into Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme. Merkin allegedly told his investors, mostly nonprofit groups and universities, that he was managing the money himself. More»

Trustee wants $558M back from feeder-fund withdrawals

(NEWSER) - The trustee representing investors who lost their savings with Bernie Madoff is suing Ezra Merkin, the feeder-fund manager who withdrew $558 million from Madoff's shop before the collapse of his Ponzi scheme. Irving Picard, who is responsible for winding down Madoff's defunct company, alleges that Merkin should have known from the abnormally high and consistent returns that Madoff's business was fraudulent. It's the second suit Picard has filed in a week, reports the Wall Street Journal. More»

(NEWSER) - Author and Nazi hunter Elie Wiesel, who lost $15.2 million in foundation money and a good chunk of his own fortune to Bernie Madoff, railed today against the “psychopath” financier, the New York Post reports. “He should be put in a solitary cell with a screen, and on the screen, for at least five years of his life, pictures of his victims,” said Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor. “Look what you have done to this old lady." More»