Bernie Madoff Talks, Tells Victims' Lawyers All

2 years ago

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Woman Up Editor

Bernie Madoff, in avuncular charm honed at innumerable country club Sunday brunch buffets, on Wednesday sat pleasantly at a table at the Butner Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, N.C., chatting with two attorneys representing victims of his scheme. "He seems to be working out," one of the guests told ABC News.

For 4 hours and 30 minutes, Madoff and his visitors (who had to manage without mimosas), shot the breeze about methods and materials of his $60-billion scam. Accompanied by Madoffs's uncomplaining lawyer, Mauro Wolfe, the two plaintiffs' lawyers, Joseph Cotchett and Nancy Fineman, took notes and prepared to amend their civil complaints. Cotchett told the Wall Street Journal law blog that Madoff was "an absolute gentleman" at their meeting and said, "He was very sorry that this didn't come to an end right away, the fraud."

Meantime, perhaps to make up for the lapse, the retired financial adviser, settling in to his new jailhouse apartment, told the plaintiffs' attorneys "clear" details regarding "many people here who were negligent and not doing due diligence."

Defendants on Cotchett's fraud complaints, which would be tried in New York state court before a jury, now include Madoff's sons, Andrew and Mark (who blew the whistle on their dad last Dec. 11 and have reportedly not spoken to him since), and Ruth, Madoff's wife of 50 years. Bernie Madoff's younger brother, Peter Madoff, the business' compliance officer, is also a defendant. His job was to make sure the investment company, Madoff Securities, complied with SEC regulations and other securities industry rules.

Ruth Madoff has had difficult times within her community since her husband plea bargained, but she was not charged with any crimes. Bernie Madoff is serving a 150-year sentence but supports her in these civil matters. As Cotchett revises his lawsuit, he told ABC he may not include Ruth or the sons but will be "certain" to name Peter. As for Bernie, Cotchett said, "he doesn't give a ---- about his two sons" but "he cares about Ruth."

Filed Under: Woman Up

Tagged: bernie madoff, BernieMadoff, top stories, TopStories

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