BERNIE MADOFF SENTENCED TO 150 YEARS

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BERNIE MADOFF WILL DIE IN JAIL
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The Evil Bernie Madoff

Low life Bernard Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in prison today for fraud against thousands of victims, totaling in the billions. The judge said he needed to send a symbolic message to potential imitators and to victims who demanded harsh punishment. Applause broke out in the packed Manhattan courtroom after U.S. District Judge Denny Chin issued the maximum sentence to the 71-year-old defendant, who said he lives "in a tormented state now, knowing all the pain and suffering I've created." Chin ignored the request by Madoff's lawyer for leniency and said he disagreed that victims of the fraud were seeking mob vengeance."Here the message must be sent that Mr. Madoff's crimes were extraordinarily evil and that this kind of manipulation of the system is not just a bloodless crime that takes place on paper, but one instead that takes a staggering toll," Chin said. The judge said the estimate that Madoff has cost his victims more than $13 billion was conservative because it did not include money from feeder funds. "Objectively speaking, the fraud here was staggering," he said. Madoff gave no reaction when the sentence was announced. When asked by judge Chin whether he had anything to say, Madoff stood, leaned forward on the defense table and spoke for about 10 minutes. He referred to his historic fraud as a "problem," ''an error of judgment" and "a tragic mistake." He claimed he and his wife were tormented, saying she "cries herself to sleep every night, knowing all the pain and suffering I have caused," he said. "That's something I live with, as well." He then looked at the victims in the first row of the court. "I will turn and face you," he said. "I'm sorry. I know that doesn't help you." Prosecutor Lisa Baroni said Madoff deserved a life sentence because he "stole ruthlessly and without remorse." Last week, a judge issued a preliminary $171 billion forfeiture order stripping Madoff of all his personal property, including real estate, investments, and $80 million in assets his wife Ruth had claimed were hers. The order left her with $2.5 million. We think the judge left her with too much. She should feel the pain that her family has put on others. Mrs. Madoff can live quite good on 2.5 million while most of the victims of the scam have lost everything. May this bastard rot in hell !