Is Bernard Madoff Really Sorry?

Bernard Madoff was sentenced this morning to the maximum amount of time allowed under the law, 150 years in prison for perpetrating a massive mult-billion dollar ponzi scheme that United States District Judge Denny Chin called an "extraordinary evil."

As reports of Bernard Madoff's sentencing continue to poor in, they make reference to how Madoff sat emotionless as Judge Chin imposed the 150 year sentence, offering an apology that he, himself, admits holds little consolation for his victims.

Addressing his victims directly, Bernard Madoff told them "saying I'm sorry is not enough. I turn to face you. I know it will not help. I'm sorry."

Of course Bernard Madoff says he's sorry. What else is there to say but sorry? However, I raise a question is Bernard Madoff truly sorry, or is he just sorry because he got caught?

Judge Denny Chin noted that Madoff's fraudulent behavior spanned more than 20 years. Bernard Madoff had 20 years to be sorry. This is 20 years to say hold on, what am I doing here? Yet, the first sorry ever spoken by Madoff came this past March during his guilty plea in which he said he was "deeply sorry and ashamed."

Bernard Madoff perpetrated an investment fraud scheme so large that it wiped out fortunes, ruined charities and foundations and even pushed some of his investors to commit suicide. Sorry?

His wife, Ruth Madoff, just reached a settlement with federal prosecutors on Friday by agreeing to forfeit almost $80 million in assets prosecutors believe were amassed as a result of his multi-billion dollar fraud scheme, keeping a mere $2.5 million in cash for herself. However, Bernard Madoff was so sorry he asked prosecutors to allow his wife to keep $70 million? Sorry?

The only thing we can say for sure about Bernard Madoff's apology is that he didn't offer it in hopes of getting some sort of leniency at sentencing. At 71, it's safe to assume he knew that he was going to receive a sentence that would keep him behind bars for the rest of his life. He will now be in jail for 150 years and no apology was going to keep Bernard Madoff out of prison.

The question posed is one that will never be answered. "Only time will tell" does not apply here. Bernard Madoff's apology seems to have been the obvious conclusion to this financial horror story.

Elton John sang "sorry seems to be the hardest part," however; in this case, for Bernard Madoff, it almost seems to have been the easiest part.

Written by Gabriel Dorman
gabedorman@gmail.com
www.criminaldefenseduilawyer.com/blog/