'Like a Mafia Don': Bernie Madoff's Boastful Letter to Angry Daughter-in-Law

[Octafish]

Who loves ya, Baby? Two of Wall Street's biggest winners share a laugh outside of prison.

'Like a Mafia Don': Bernie Madoff's Boastful Letter to Angry Daughter-in-Law

By JOSEPH RHEE and SHANA DRUCKERMAN
ABC News
Oct. 20, 2011

After being convicted in June 2009 of orchestrating the largest Ponzi scheme in American history, disgraced financier Bernie Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in a North Carolina prison.

But his daughter-in-law, Stephanie Madoff Mack, the wife of Madoff's oldest son Mark, felt he hadn't suffered enough. Mack wrote him a letter laying out the life he was missing, with details about the young grandchildren -- Mack's daughter Audrey and son Nicholas -- he would never see again.

SNIP...

But Mack said her plan backfired. Madoff's response, she said, sickened her. He described his life at Butner Prison -- which is considered a "crown jewel" of the federal prison system and is known for its college campus-like feel -- as one filled with "loads of friends" who respected him.

He wrote, "As you can imagine, I am quite the celebrity, and am treated like a Mafia don. They call me either Uncle Bernie or Mr. Madoff. I can't walk anywhere without someone shouting their greetings and encouragement, to keep my spirit up. It's really quite sweet, how concerned everyone is about my well being, including the staff...It's much safer here than walking the streets of New York."

CONTINUED...

http://abcnews.go.com/US/mafia-don-bernie-madoffs-boastful-letter-angry-daughter/story?id=14777562

It's not like Bernie was alone in all that. Wouldn't know it, though, thanks to Uncle Sam. Is the SEC Covering Up Wall Street Crimes? Matt Taibbi: A whistle blower says the agency has illegally destroyed thousands of documents, letting financial crooks off the hook.

[Rex]

1. I really, really hope there is a hell somewhere Octafish.

I don't believe in one, but hope that it is true and hell does exist.

[Octafish]

2. Look around, my Friend. The fact the universe even exists is something special.

Those who despoil it, principally by hurting and killing others, think they will get away with their criminality. They don't know what awaits them.

[alcibiades_mystery]

3. That particular prison really is perhaps the nicest Federal prison in the country

It is likely appropriate for his classification, or his placement there was part of the plea arrangement and saved the government bundles on a trial. It's also true that all prisons suck. But on the scale of suckiness, that one is pretty low.

[Raster]

5. Club Fed. "...appropriate for his classification..."???

Because a Wall Street, white-collar criminal is so much better than the rest? Uncle Bernie should have been sent to the WORST federal prison, somewhere where he had to fear for his life every time he took a shit.

[alcibiades_mystery]

6. No, because he's 70 years old with no prior criminal record

and no violent history.

You do understand that there are specific criteria for classification decisions for federal prison placement, yes? It is not just a matter of *your* outrage at the crime. We have specific and very clear criteria.

That said, I think the 150 year sentence probably does move him into a different class per the federal placement criteria, so I suspect his placement was a function of the plea arrangement.

[gratuitous]

8. No criminal history and no violence

Only if you consider Madoff's years-in-the-making scheme a one off, then yeah, there's no history. And if you consider his sudden impoverishment of so many of his victims to be not violent in a society so heavily dependent on financial wherewithal, then yeah, there was no violence. I disagree on both counts.

But he is a septugenarian, that's for sure.

[alcibiades_mystery]

11. Your disagreement is fine. I disagree as well

But as I said, there are clear criteria that are supported by clear definitions. That's how law works. You don't get to make up your own definitions as you go, as apt as those definitions may be.

:hi:

[coalition_unwilling]

9. As gratifying as it may feel to sink to such atavistic lows as your

wish reveals, no one (including the worst of the worst) should have to fear violence while incarcerated. Come on. Or are you saying you're perfectly OK with prison violence, provided it is inflicted upon those whom you particularly dislike?

[alcibiades_mystery]

12. Fear of violence is not a legitimate punishment in a civilized society

Thank you for mentioning that.

[Raster]

14. No, I am not. And you are correct, prison violence is not a laughing matter.

However, sending Madoff to THE Club Fed is, frankly, an insult to law-abiding citizens everywhere.

"The worst Ponzi scheme ever..."

Here you go, Mr. Madoff. Your room is ready. Please ring the Concierge for more towels.

[coalition_unwilling]

15. I am really grouchy today for some reason. I also agree with you that

Madoff should not be in such a cushy place. But I wonder how much of Madoff's bravado is garden-variety 'whistling past the graveyard" denial?

[Raster]

4. The main reason the government pursued Bernie Made Off With Our Money is because he....

...stole from the rich and famous.

And yes, the SEC has done their fair share of aiding and abetting Wall Street's white collar criminals. Can't let the public know just how much they were in collusion with the banksters. Or how badly they dropped the oversight ball.

Here's a thought: Why not staff the SEC's Board of Governors COMPLETELY with non-political, non-Wall Street insiders.

[jmg257]

7. Oh well - it's good he is so happy there...he has another 148 years to go. nt

[Lint Head]

10. I'm sure the prison guards are telling him, 'Glad to have you here'.

[Scuba]

13. Madoff is a small blob of santorum. n/t