The Securities and Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) provides insurance coverage after a lengthy claims process IF it chooses to start a SIPC proceeding. It is not automatic. Customers of a failed brokerage firm get back all securities (such as stocks and bonds) that already are registered in their name or are in the process of being registered. After this first step, the firm's remaining customer assets are then divided on a pro rata basis with funds shared in proportion to the size of claims. If sufficient funds are not available in the firm's customer accounts to satisfy claims within these limits, the reserve funds of SIPC are used to supplement the distribution, up to a ceiling of $500,000 per customer, including a maximum of $100,000 for cash claims. Additional funds may be available to satisfy the remainder of customer claims after the cost of liquidating the brokerage firm is taken into account. see www.sonnerez.com for general information about the Madoff case. The SEC in its complaint, also filed in Manhattan federal court, accused Madoff of a "multi-billion dollar Ponzi scheme that he perpetrated on advisory clients of his firm."
The agency said it's seeking emergency relief for investors, including an asset freeze and the appointment of a receiver for the firm. Ira Sorkin, another defense lawyer for Madoff, couldn't be immediately reached for comment.
http://www.stockmarketfunding.com/SMF-Blogs/Hot-Trends/December-2008/Madoff-Charged-in-$50-Billion-Fraud-at-Advisory-Fi.aspx
Bernard Madoff was charged with Fraud in 2009 and was sentanced to 150 years in federal prison.
Bernard Madoff was convicted of securities fraud and stealing fund from his many clients. The list of the numerous counts against him all revolved around the the crimes previously mentioned.
Probably most importantly, because he has not yet been found guilty of anything in a court of law AND, a judge has ruled that he is not a flight risk.
I doubt it will make any of his victims feel better, but if it does help to see it in print, then here you go: Bernard Madoff was a financial vampire. A man incompetent to produce his own living, he was forced to live off of his betters through duplicity and fraud. As they believed him to be human, civilized and decent, he was able to do so for awhile.
The three types of illegal business behavior alleged against Mr. Madoff are fraud, theft, and deceptive practices. In fraud, Mr. Madoff is accused of securities fraud, investment advisor fraud, mail fraud and wire fraud. In the accusation of theft, he is accused of channeling money from new investors to old investors and all for stealing from an employee benefit plan. In deceptive practices, Mr. Madoff is accused of managing the money of several investors that were completely unaware that he was doing so.
Bernard Madoff's Ponzi scheme involved various individuals and entities that either facilitated or ignored his fraudulent activities. While specific names of accomplices are not widely recognized, some employees at his firm, Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC, were reportedly aware of the scheme but did not act to stop it. Additionally, regulatory failures and lack of oversight by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) contributed to Madoff's ability to operate his scheme for years without detection. Overall, while Madoff was the mastermind, systemic issues and complicity among some staff played a role in enabling the fraud.
Bernie Madoff
Bernard Fraud has written: 'Transports et logistiques' -- subject(s): Transportation and state
Fraud, theft and deceptive practices.
Yes, they are. As long as you open your account with a proper, government-approved bank and not a sketchy fraud, your money is insured. The best way to make sure is to read the small text about insurance most online banking websites have.
Online money market accounts are generally safe as they are typically insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to a certain limit. However, like all financial accounts, there is always a risk of fraud or hacking, so it's important to use strong security measures and choose a reputable financial institution.
Fairfield Greenwich Group, a hedge fund, became a significant feeder fund for Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme by investing billions of dollars with him. The firm marketed Madoff's investment strategy to its clients, promoting it as a safe and consistently profitable option. Despite warning signs and red flags, Fairfield Greenwich continued to funnel investments into Madoff's operation, ultimately leading to substantial losses for its investors when the scheme collapsed in 2008. The fund's reliance on Madoff's returns for performance attracted more investors, inadvertently amplifying the scale of the fraud.