Bernie Madoff has become a hot chocolate king in prison, and we’re very confused about this
Bernie Madoff may be in prison for the next 145 years or so, but it’s not stopping him from continuing to run a business. His latest business, however, is a little different than his last one. Madoff is the king of hot chocolate in prison, because prisoners clearly love hot chocolate just as much as the next guy.
In 2009, Madoff was convicted of fraud for leading the biggest Ponzi scheme in U.S. history, which led to a loss of nearly $65 billion. He was sentenced to 150 years in prison on 11 counts of financial crimes, including international money laundering, mail fraud, and making false filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Madoff stole more money than any thief ever has in the U.S., and now he’s behind bars for the rest of his life.
But he seems to be putting his time to use by selling hot chocolate to his fellow inmates, according to Steve Fishman, the host of the new Audible audio series, Ponzi Supernova.
“Bernie really was a successful businessman with quite original insights into the market, and he’s continued applying his business instincts in prison,” Fishman told MarketWatch.
Honestly, this isn’t at all surprising. The whole hot chocolate is a little confusing though. We didn’t realize hot chocolate was such a hot (chocolate) commodity in prison. But then again, hot chocolate is delicious, so it makes sense.
“At one point, he cornered the hot chocolate market,” Fishman added. “He bought up every package of Swiss Miss from the commissary and sold it for a profit in the prison yard. He monopolized hot chocolate! He made it so that if you wanted any, you had to go through Bernie.”
This feels very OITNB, but more, you know, real life.
Ponzi Supernova takes a deep look at Madoff’s $65 billion fraud. The series includes previously unpublished interviews with Madoff and law-enforcement agents who were involved in the case.
You can listen to the interviews in their entirety here.
