USA: Bernard Madoff sentenced to 150 years in prison

NEW YORK- The U.S. financial Bernard Madoff, 71, was sentenced Monday to 150 years in prison by a judge of a court in New York, requested the maximum sentence for his huge embezzlement of tens of billions of dollars that has made countless victims.

•     “Bernard Madoff is sentenced to 150 years in prison. As decided in this court,” said Judge Denny Chin.
  
      The former darling of the financial community, who has juggled for thirty years with the billions of dollars given by banks, wealthy individuals or charitable organizations, pleaded guilty on March 12 of the 11 charges, including fraud, perjury, money laundering and theft.
  
      He had been imprisoned far from the comfort of his luxurious apartment in the Upper East Side (north-east of Manhattan).
  
      Madoff Monday asked forgiveness from his victims in court, saying he should “live with the pain” the rest of his life.
  
      “I leave a legacy of shame on my family. I am responsible for a large number of suffering and pain,” said the forfeited financier.
  
      “I apologize to my victims. I'm sorry,” he added.
  
      Bernard Madoff’s lawyer Ira Sorkin had asked the judge Monday not to sentence his client to more than twenty years imprisonment, a sentence that is “sufficient” given the remorse of the former king of Wall Street.
  
      But many of his victims had demanded the highest penalty for the former financier. “That remains caged behind bars!” launched Monday a woman in tears. Another victim, a man who has confessed “leached by Madoff,” said he wanted “to be sure that his jail’s cell to become his coffin.”
  
      Judge Chin said he did not feel that Bernard Madoff has “said everything he knew.” And there has not been a single letter from friends or family members testified in support of Bernard Madoff, said the judge. “The absence of any support is significant,” he said.
  
      “The symbol of the punishment is important for three reasons: punishment, deterrence and it is vital for the victims,” he continued.
  
      “I do not think his victims have succumbed to the temptation of popular revenge,” added the judge.
  
  Ennaharonline/ M. O.