150 years is a really long time. For example, 150 years ago America was only 33 states, Big Ben chimed for the first time in London and outlaw Billy the Kid was just being born. That’s roughly two lifetimes for the average person. Your grandparents probably weren’t even born yet. It’s a long time.
So just think of how different the world will be when notorious thief Bernie Madoff’s sentence is finally over.
Madoff, famous for defrauding billions of dollars from thousands of investors in one of the largest accounts of fraud ever recorded, was sentenced Monday to 150 years, which is the maximum sentence, by Judge Denny Chin of the U.S. District Court in New York.
CNN reported that when the sentence was given, many in the courtroom – including people whose money Madoff has stolen - erupted into applause.
“I live in a tormented state for all the pain and suffering I created,” Madoff said in a statement before he was sentenced. “I left a legacy of shame. It is something I will live with for the rest of my life.”
He also addressed some of his victims directly. “Saying I’m sorry is not enough. I turn to face you. I know it will not help. I’m sorry.”
Now say it about 50 billion more times and that might be enough.
Some of the better know people Madoff ripped off with his Ponzi scheme were CNN personality Larry King, New York Mets owner Fred Wilpon and film producer Jeffrey Katzenberg, according to Time Magazine.
Comments
Derek
June 29th, 2009 - 12:53:54 PM
150? damn, that's a prison sentence. wonder what it's like to know the rest of your life will be in a jail cell. probably not as bad as not knowing (i.e. guantanamo detainees)