FW: Another “Apparent” Suicide

From: Andrew Johnson

Date: 2010-12-12 13:26:35

Attachments :   From: Kathy Roberts [mailto:weerkhr@pacbell.net] Sent: 11 December 2010 23:02To: Undisclosed-Recipient: ;@smtp110.sbc.mail.mud.yahoo.comSubject: Another “Apparent” Suicide www.msnbc.msn.com/id…   Official: Madoff’s son found dead in apparent suicide Mark Madoff found hanged in NYC apartment on second anniversary of father’s arrest     Justin Lane  /  EPA Representatives from the New York City Medical Examiner’s office remove the body of Mark Madoff, the son of convicted Ponzi scheme mastermind Bernie Madoff, from the building where was found dead of an apparent suicide in New York. NBC News and news services NBC News and news services updated 48 minutes ago 2010-12-11T20:35:57 NEW YORK — The eldest son of disgraced financier Bernard Madoff hanged himself by a dog leash in his Manhattan apartment on Saturday, the second anniversary of his father’s arrest in a multibillion-dollar Ponzi scheme that swindled thousands of investors of their life savings, law enforcement officials said. Mark Madoff, 46, was found hanging from a ceiling pipe in the living room of his SoHo loft apartment as his 2-year-old son slept in a nearby bedroom, law enforcement officials told NBC News. Madoff, who reported his father to authorities, had never been criminally charged in the biggest investment fraud in U.S. history that has snared a half-dozen Madoff employees. Mark Madoff and his brother Andrew have said they were unaware of their father’s crimes. But they have been remained under investigation and been named in multiple investor lawsuits accusing them of profiting from the scheme. A third law enforcement official said Saturday that Madoff’s arrest was not imminent, and that investigators pursuing possible charges against him, his brother and his uncle hadn’t contacted him for more than a year. The official wasn’t authorized to speak publicly about the case and spoke on condition of anonymity. A source, however, told CNBC that Madoff’s friends and family had become worried about him as the two-year anniversary of his father’s scandal neared. Madoff had been increasingly distraught and depressed, the source, who also spoke on condition of anonymity with CNBC, said. His mood grew darker after a new bankruptcy lawsuit was filed against him and his current and former wives, plus their children. It was the first time Bernard Madoff’s grandchildren had been targeted in the case. About 4:00 a.m. Saturday, Mark Madoff emailed his wife, Stephanie, telling her that he loved her and for her to take care of their children, the source said. ‘Tragedy’
Mark Madoff was found by his father-in-law after his wife became concerned when he sent an e-mail to her Friday night or early Saturday morning that someone should check on their 2-year-old son, law enforcement officials said. Madoff’s wife, who is at Disney World in Florida with her 4-year-old daughter, sent her father to the home, where he found Madoff’s body. The toddler was found unharmed, along with a dog.   “This is a terrible and unnecessary tragedy,” said his lawyer, Martin Flumenbaum, in a written statement. “Mark was an innocent victim of his father’s monstrous crime who succumbed to two years of unrelenting pressure from false accusations and innuendo.” A lawyer for Mark’s mother, Ruth Madoff, said, “She’s heartbroken,” NBC News reported. The lawyer, Peter Chavkin, had no further comment. Scandal
Bernard Madoff, 72, swindled a long list of investors out of billions of dollars. He admitted that he ran his scheme for at least two decades, cheating thousands of individuals, charities, celebrities and institutional investors. Losses are estimated at around $20 billion, making it the biggest investment fraud in U.S. history. He was arrested on Dec. 11, 2008, after confessing his crimes to his family. The scandal put a harsh light on members of the family. The financier’s brother, Peter, played a prominent role in the family’s company. Mark and Andrew Madoff both worked on a trading desk at the firm, on a side of the business that wasn’t directly involved in the Ponzi scheme. “Mark remains unalterably bitter about his father’s deception and the injury his father has caused,” spokeswoman for Madoff’s sons told The Wall Street Journal before Mark Madoff’s death. “Andy was also deeply impacted by his father’s deception.” Madoff’s sons had not talked with their parents in two years, a person familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal. The eldest son’s recent email address also didn’t include a first or last name, according to the newspaper. In February, Mark Madoff’s wife petitioned a court to change her last name and the last names of their two children, saying her family had gotten threats and was humiliated by the scandal. A year ago, the court-appointed trustee trying to unravel Madoff’s financial affairs sued several relatives, including Peter, Mark and Andrew, accusing them of failing to detect the fraud while living lavish lifestyles financed with the family’s ill-gotten fortune. The lawsuit accused Mark Madoff of using $66 million he received improperly to buy luxury homes in New York City, Nantucket and Connecticut. A call to Bernard Madoff’s attorney was not immediately returned Saturday. Calls to the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s office were also not immediately returned. Previously, spokespeople for the brothers had repeatedly denied that they had any knowledge of their father’s crimes. Bernard Madoff is serving a 150-year prison sentence in North Carolina. Bureau of Prisons spokeswoman Traci Billingsley said Saturday she didn’t have specific information on whether Bernie Madoff had been informed of his son’s death or would be allowed to attend a service. In general, she said, inmates are informed of a relative’s death as soon as the institution is made aware of it and the bureau does allow furloughs for prisoners to attend memorial services. A police officer stood guard in the lobby of Madoff’s 12-story luxury loft apartment in SoHo Saturday morning. The building sits on a busy block abutting Broadway in an area crowded with clothing boutiques, cafes and art galleries. The sidewalks and cobblestone streets near the apartment were packed with Christmas shoppers Saturday, as dozens of reporters stood vigil. Bystanders gawked as officials from the medical examiner’s office removed the body early Saturday afternoon. The medical examiner will determine the cause of death. The Associated Press, CNBC, and NBC News contributed to this report. Video: Madoff’s son dead after apparent suicide

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