A federal judge rejected Bernie Madoff’s request to be released from prison because he is dying from kidney failure. The judge cited that Madoff has yet to show remorse for running his Ponzi scheme.
Circuit Judge Denny Chin, who sentences Madoff 11 years ago, wrote that Madoff’s health failure was “most unfortunate”. Madoff should remain in prison for running “one of the most egregious financial crimes of our time.”
According to Chin, many victims are still suffering from Madoff’s scam. “When I sentenced Mr. Madoff in 2009, it was fully my intent that he live out the rest of his life in prison,” Chin wrote. “Nothing has happened in the 11 years since to change my thinking.”
Madoff’s lawyer Brandon Sample issued a statement saying that Chin essentially found that because of the nature of Madoff’s crimes — Madoff is beyond redemption. We are disappointed with Judge Chin’s refusal to grant Madoff any compassion.”