Bernie Madoff, who stole billions in Ponzi scheme, wants early release from NC prison
Bernie Madoff, who swindled billions of dollars in a Ponzi scheme, says he wants to be released from a federal prison in North Carolina.
He is serving a 150-year sentence after pleading guilty to financial crimes in 2009, according to a court document filed Wednesday.
Madoff, 81, now says he is dying and asked to be released from prison early. He has “chronic kidney failure” and has up to 18 months to live, according to his federal court motion for release based on compassion.
He is currently at a federal prison in Butner, roughly 15 miles northeast of Durham.
In July, he was admitted to a unit for palliative care due to his sickness, according to the compassionate release motion.
“His weakened and declining physical condition is such that he would pose no danger to anyone,” the document said.
In his decades-long scheme, Madoff stole from thousands of people, news outlets have reported.
This story was originally published February 6, 2020 at 11:17 AM.
