Monday, 7 Oct 2024

Bernie Madoff’s victims have until Friday to weigh-in on early release

Bernie Madoff’s tens of thousands of victims have until just Friday to weigh-in on whether the terminally ill con man deserves to be freed early to avoid dying in prison, the government has announced.

The notorious Ponzi scheme fraudster is requesting “compassionate release,” saying he has just 18-months to live due to “end-stage” kidney disease and a host of other “chronic, serious medical conditions.”

In a filing Monday, the government said it is already “receiving letters” from victims of Madoff, 81, who ripped off investors around the world with the $65 billion scam that saw him sentenced to 150 years in prison.

It has now cemented Friday as the deadline for victims to get their voices heard — with all the letters set to be released with redacted names in a public filing on Tuesday next week.

“The Government has spoken with counsel for the defendant, who agrees with this approach,” Assistant US Attorney Drew Skinner said in the filing to Manhattan federal court judge Denny Chin.

Victim Gregg Felson told The Post last week that he immediately contacted the US Attorney’s office after learning of Madoff’s bid for freedom.

“He is only now saying he is sorry in order to try to garner sympathy because he is sick,” said Felson. “He was a con man all his life and now he is trying to con the judge to release him.”

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