Changes

[[Image:Madoff.jpg|right]]

[[Image:Madoff.jpg|right]]

'''Bernard L. Madoff''' (born April 29, 1938) is in dollar terms the biggest crook in history.  While holding many prestigious positions such as chairman of the [[NASDAQ]] stock exchange, he directed his company, Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities, in a [[Ponzi scheme]] that last for decades. The scheme was exposed in December, 2008, revealing that over 13,000 investors, especially from the Jewish community, lost about $13 billion. The exact amount will take years to determine.  People invested and Madoff sent them monthly reports showing in detail how their investments were rapidly growing. There actually were no investments. He was using money from new investors to pay off old clients who needed to redeem their holdings. When the [[Financial Crisis of 2008]] broke, so many people needed  cash fast--and so few new ones came to invest--that he could not pay anyone. He told his children and they called the authorities.

'''Bernard L. Madoff''' (born April 29, 1938) is in dollar terms the biggest crook in history.  While holding many prestigious positions such as chairman of the [[NASDAQ]] stock exchange, he directed his company, Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities, in a [[Ponzi scheme]] that last for decades. The scheme was exposed in December, 2008, revealing that over 13,000 investors, especially from the Jewish community, lost about $13 billion. The exact amount will take years to determine.  People invested and Madoff sent them monthly reports showing in detail how their investments were rapidly growing. There actually were no investments. He was using money from new investors to pay off old clients who needed to redeem their holdings. When the [[Financial Crisis of 2008]] broke, so many people needed  cash fast—and so few new ones came to invest—that he could not pay anyone. He told his children and they called the authorities.

The watchdog of Wall Street, the [[Securities and Exchange Commission]], was warned repeatedly of what was happening. It made superficial investigations, accepting at face value Madoff's lies, then cleared Madoff.  Canny investors, realizing that Madoff's promises of a guaranteed 10% annual return were impossible, avoided him. But he had a winning personality as he consented when people came and begged him to accept his money.  He also had feeder operations in the U.S. and Europe that were complicit in his scheme by directing billions of dollars to his funds in return for very high paybacks; they now face very complex legal proceedings.  

The watchdog of Wall Street, the [[Securities and Exchange Commission]], was warned repeatedly of what was happening. It made superficial investigations, accepting at face value Madoff's lies, then cleared Madoff.  Canny investors, realizing that Madoff's promises of a guaranteed 10% annual return were impossible, avoided him. But he had a winning personality as he consented when people came and begged him to accept his money.  He also had feeder operations in the U.S. and Europe that were complicit in his scheme by directing billions of dollars to his funds in return for very high paybacks; they now face very complex legal proceedings.  

==Silver Lining==

==Silver Lining==

[[Abortion]] groups invested heavily in Madoff. The result, [[Planned Parenthood]] is laying off about 20 percent of its staff. Another Madoff investor, the [[Florida]]-based Picower Foundation shut down in December. The foundation was worth $1 billion and is one of the top financial backers of pro-abortion groups. The JEHT Foundation gave $24 million in 2008 to abortion groups as well as the [[ACLU]], also announced closing its doors in December. <ref>[http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/madoff_funding_abortion/2009/01/12/170584.html Madoff Scandal Rocks Pro-Abortion Groups] NewsMax, January 12, 2009</ref>

[[Abortion]] groups invested heavily in Madoff. The result, [[Planned Parenthood]] is laying off about 20 percent of its staff. Another Madoff investor, the [[Florida]]-based Picower Foundation shut down in December. The foundation was worth $1 billion and is one of the top financial backers of pro-abortion groups. The JEHT Foundation gave $24 million in 2008 to abortion groups as well as the [[ACLU]], also announced closing its doors in December.<ref>[http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/madoff_funding_abortion/2009/01/12/170584.html Madoff Scandal Rocks Pro-Abortion Groups] NewsMax, January 12, 2009</ref>

== Campaign Contributions ==

== Campaign Contributions ==

Madoff gave considerable financial support to the [[Democratic party]].  A partial list of Democrat campaign contributions from Madoff; <ref>[http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=91510 Who'da thunk? Dems made off with Madoff loot!] WND, March 11, 2009</ref> <ref>[http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2008/12/madoff-and-company-spent-nearl.html Madoff and Company Spent Nearly $1 Million on Washington Influence] OpenSecrets</ref>

Madoff gave considerable financial support to the [[Democratic party]].  A partial list of Democrat campaign contributions from Madoff;<ref>[http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=91510 Who'da thunk? Dems made off with Madoff loot!] WND, March 11, 2009</ref><ref>[http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2008/12/madoff-and-company-spent-nearl.html Madoff and Company Spent Nearly $1 Million on Washington Influence] OpenSecrets</ref>

* Sen. [[Charles Schumer]], D-N.Y.: $10,000.

* Sen. [[Charles Schumer]], D-N.Y.: $10,000.

* Sen. [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]], D-N.Y.: $1,000.

* Sen. [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]], D-N.Y.: $1,000.

* Rep. Richard Gephardt, D-Mo.:$ 2,000.

* Rep. Richard Gephardt, D-Mo.:$2,000.

* Rep. [[Charles Rangel]], D-N.Y.: $2,000.

* Rep. [[Charles Rangel]], D-N.Y.: $2,000.

* Sen. [[Chris Dodd]], D-Ct.; $1,500.

* Sen. [[Chris Dodd]], D-Ct.; $1,500.