Sanity is madness put to good use. – George Santayana
Is Bernard Madoff Insane?
12Jan2009 Author: Mother Jones, RN
Meet Bernard Madoff, or at least I think this is Bernard. According to Bernard’s lawyers, this may be one of his alters. Just in case you don’t know, Bernard Madoff has been accused of being the world’s biggest scammer. Government prosecutors want to throw Bernard in jail and throw away the key because they claim that he defrauded investors of over $50 billion in a Ponzi scheme.
If you thought this story couldn’t get any weirder, get ready for his alibi. Reports are circling the Internet that Madoff’s lawyers are thinking about using an insanity defense to keep their client out of jail. They may argue that Madoff had a “mental break” somewhere along the way, and is now suffering from diminished capacity, or from multiple personality disorder. Some are even suggesting that dear old Bernie is suffering from dementia or from bipolar disorder. Madoff’s lawyers might even argue that he committed the fraud because he was traumatized by an early-life event, such as an over bearing mother. Take note. We are about to witness a new legal precedence. The Jewish Mother Defense.
This is wrong on so many levels. Really. Throw em’ in jail!
6 Responses to “Is Bernard Madoff Insane?”
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Disclaimer
There has been a lot of chatter in the blogosphere about medical bloggers and HIPAA regulations so let me make this very clear: I write composite stories about many different people that I've cared for over the years.
Brad Levinson
January 12th, 2009 at 11:11 am
The “insanity” plea is very rarely successful in our court system, so it doesn’t look likely to work. I’m pretty sure this is his attorney’s version of a “Hail Mary” pass – they know it doesn’t look good.
Also, those who are found to have had diminished capacity to understand right from wrong are usually held in the legal system for much longer than those who aren’t. It’s never really the “easy way out.” Someone should tell them this
And overbearing Jewish mothers cause anxiety, not elaborate Ponzi schemes
Rob Halper
January 12th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Absolutely! Why should he get away with anything else?! Let’s see him try to swindle some inmates!
fern
January 13th, 2009 at 1:35 am
his issue sounds like that of frank abegnale in spielberg’s ‘catch me if you can’..
Mr Ian
January 13th, 2009 at 8:42 am
Of course Bernard is not responsible for his actions if his alternate personalities are doing it. He may go free.
Unfortunately though, we will have to throw his alter in jail.
tammy swofford
January 14th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
Throw him in jail? Kick him to the curb. An irate investor will catch up to him within 24 hours.
Tammy
Chuck R.
January 21st, 2009 at 3:58 pm
What’s wrong with a Ponzi scheme? That’s how US Social Security works. Current workers pay for people who used to work and are now retired.