Bernie Madoff Says He Has Less Than 18 Months to Live and Seeks Compassionate Release from Prison
Bernie Madoff is one of the biggest thieves of all time. In 2009, when he received the maximum sentence of 150 years in prison for 11 counts of financial crimes, which included fraud and money laundering, the New York Times described his deception as the "largest, longest and most widespread Ponzi scheme in history."
But now, he's asking a judge to let him die at home. Madoff says he's suffering from advanced kidney failure, and asking for compassionate release.
“I’m terminally ill,” Madoff told the Washington Post in a phone call this week. “There’s no cure for my type of disease. So, you know, I’ve served. I’ve served 11 years already, and, quite frankly, I’ve suffered through it.”
Per the Post, Madoff is too old for a kidney transplant, and has been designated as Care Level 4 in the prison system, meaning “functioning may be so severely impaired as to require 24-hour skilled nursing care or nursing assistance.” The paper also reports that he has been moved to palliative care.
Madoff previously requested compassionate release from the Bureau of Prisons, which acknowledges that he has a terminal disease, but his application was rejected in December.
“His condition is considered terminal with a life expectancy of less than 18 months,” reads the rejection letter, which was written by Ken Hyle, the general counsel for the Bureau of Prisons. “However, Mr. Madoff is accountable of a loss to investors of over $13 billion. Accordingly, in light of the nature and circumstances of his offense, his release at this time would minimize the severity of his offense."
Madoff is now appealing that decision to a federal judge.
At the time of his arrest, Madoff had about 4,800 client accounts, and now more than a decade later, many of his victims are still dealing with the fallout from his crimes. At least one, Gregg Felsen, who did not receive restitution, thinks Madoff should remain in prison.
“I never got a break; why should he get a break? He’s terminally ill? I’m terminally broke,” Felsen told the Washington Post. “He ruined a lot of people’s lives and changed them forever. He deserves no leniency whatsoever.”
According to the Post, Madoff "expressed remorse for his massive fraud" and "said his dying wish is to salvage relationships with his grandchildren." Madoff is still married to his wife Ruth, whom he met in high school. His two sons, Mark and Andrew, both died after his crimes came to light.
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