Prefer Jewish News on Google
Prosecutors reject ‘compassionate release’ request from Bernie Madoff
American lawyers oppose request for Ponzi schemer to be freed from jail despite apparently nearing death
U.S. government prosecutors have opposed a request from Ponzi schemer Bernie Madoff to be freed from federal prison even though he says he will soon die of kidney failure.
Prosecutors said in a court filing Wednesday night that the request for “compassionate release” should be denied because Madoff never accepted responsibility for the £14bn ($19 billion) scheme or showed compassion for his victims, Reuters reported.
Madoff has served about a decade of a 150-year sentence in a North Carolina federal prison for a scheme that went from the early 1970s until his arrest in 2008.
“Madoff’s crimes were extraordinarily evil. His sentence was appropriately long. It should not be reduced,” prosecutors said in the filing.
In a request filed last month in federal court, Madoff’s attorney asked for a “compassionate release” from federal prison for his 81-year-old client. The filing says Madoff, who needs a wheelchair and has multiple medical problems, has been told he has less than 18 months to live.
Prosecutors also said about 500 of the 520 victims who wrote to the Manhattan federal court about Madoff’s request opposed compassionate release.
Many prominent Jewish nonprofits suffered big losses in the fraud. Yeshiva University took a £107m ($140 million) hit, Hadassah lost £68m ($90 million) and the late Elie Wiesel’s foundation £11.5m ($15 million).
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
