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are 150 years enough?

By
Real Estate Agent with Jameson Sotheby's International Realty

Bernie Madoff is responsible for pulling off the largest single Ponzi-style scam in the history of Ponzi scams.

He has ruined people's lives, destroyed family fortunes, damaged the funding of charitable organizations, and potentially had a serious negative impact on the struggling U.S. Economy.

This morning, a judge sentenced Bernie Madoff to 150 years in jail.  He is currently 71 years old, and unlikely to ever live outside of a jail cell again.

Is 150 years, an adequate sentence?  Will it bring restitution to his victims and their families?  Will is bring him a sense of the type of damage he's done to all those lives.

Better yet, will it serve as the example to others that the Judge hopes it will be, to keep them from attempting to defraud?

Personally, I don't think 150 years of room and board, on the tab of the u.s. government is appropriate.  Granted, it's not in the style to which he's become accustomed, but it seems as though the punishment is too mild, for the crime.

In my wife's family history is a con-man from the 1920's here in Chicago.  He stole funds, in a Ponzi-

Whaddya think?  Is Bernie's sentence fair... too strong.... not strong enough?

 

ALAN MAY, Realtor®
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate
-------------------------------
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, 2929 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
847.425.3779      Cell: 847.924.3313      Email: Almay@aol.com

 

Posted by

 ALAN MAY, Realtor®   
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate

Jameson Sotheby's International Realty, 2934 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
Office: 847.869.7300      Cell: 847.924.3313      Email: Almay@aol.com

Evanston Real Estate & North Shore Real Estate
Licensed in Illinois

   

Comments(15)

Steve Loynd
Alpine Lakes Real Estate Inc., - Lincoln, NH
800-926-5653, White Mountains NH

Alan, I haven't seen the news yet today was there any mention of financial restitution from Bernie or the rest of his firm including the Madoff family? Jail time is one thing , but they take your assets in the case of drug traffickers, this should be the case here. Sell everything he has to give something to the investors he swindled.

Jun 29, 2009 07:02 AM
Charles Buell
Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA
Seattle Home Inspector

Alan, unfortunately this is one of those crimes where there just is no sufficient punishment----life in prison is a good start.

Jun 29, 2009 07:45 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Yes, I say it is sufficient. As Steve stated above... all of his assets should be sold and the money given to the investors he swindled. 

Jun 29, 2009 07:56 AM
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

Steve... I hadn't heard if there was any other part of the story... just the 150 years.  I hope there's restitution, but I seriously doubt it.

Charles... life in prison is a good start

Rebecca... personally, I feel it's NOT enough... I think much of the money that his family now has (which was all ill-gotten gain) should be liquidated and returned.

Jun 29, 2009 09:21 AM
Barbara S. Duncan
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

150 years is sort of overkill and must be for show.  It happened quickly too, which is unusual.  The picture you have of him has a face that looks trustworthy.  That's probably why he was able to swindle so many people.  He needs to have to WORK in prison, not just have an easy time of it.  He needs to be poor again!

Jun 29, 2009 09:48 AM
Sandy Nelson
Riley Jackson Real Estate Inc. - Olympia, WA
your Olympia area Realtor

150 years is not enough, because essentially it's only about a twenty year sentence, based on Madoff's current age. I have no idea how he could make restitution.

Jun 29, 2009 12:33 PM
Larry Story ALC
Total Care Realty - Greensboro, NC
Beneath it all is the Land, Covering all of NC

Most definitely not enough  It is hardly fair considering all the peoples lives he has ruined in his greedy little scam.

Jun 29, 2009 01:33 PM
Russell Lewis
Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX
Broker,CLHMS,GRI

I was listening to a show on NPR this afternoon that had an interview with a man whose father committed suicide after losing everything to this crook. It's pretty bad; he violated the blind trust of so many and frankly I have to agree with the description that was provided "MONSTER".

Jun 29, 2009 02:48 PM
Paddy (Patricia) Pizappi
Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Pine Bush, NY
Real Estate Associate Broker Hudson Valley NY

Oh every one of his friends and relatives needs to be separated from their ill gotten gains even if they had no idea where the funds came from they are living on other peoples money.  Restitution of some sort is absolutely needed and appropriate. 

Jun 29, 2009 09:43 PM
Caren Wallace
Premier Property Group LLC - Tualatin, OR
Portland Caren Real Estate

Alan, I think prison is too good for the guy! They should send him over to Afganistan to help search for Osama Bin Laden until he finds him or dies from the rugged trek! They should also tak all of his ill gotten gains and return what can be salvaged to the people he took it from! 

Jun 30, 2009 12:06 AM
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

I was watching the Today show this a.m., and his attorney stated that he and his family have returned everything (or at least everything that could be found or was admitted to), except Mrs. Madoff who was allowed to keep $2,500,000.

fair?

Jun 30, 2009 12:51 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Alan, I love the the judges response to the defence lawyer's assertion than any sentence of more than 20 years was just symbolic.  He loved the symbolism of 150 years.  So, voila!

Jun 30, 2009 01:38 PM
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

if he was really trying to send a message... I think 150 years, is a pretty good message, Patricia

Jun 30, 2009 03:36 PM
Jim & Maria Hart
Brand Name Real Estate - Charleston, SC
Charleston, SC Real Estate

Hey, Alan. Like you, I feel that he got off to easy. I think hard time would be more fitting.

I hope that you have a wonderful 4th, Jim

Jul 03, 2009 03:11 AM
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

you betcha.... Jim... hard time.

Jul 03, 2009 06:03 AM