Check out the "Ponzi Scheme" music video featuring a dancing Bernie Madoff... He's dancing all the way to 150 years in prison!!!

I am nobody.I was assigned a serial number more than 4 decades ago when I joined the Navy in service to my country.On June 29th, 2009 I sat in a federal courtroom in NY waiting for a representative of the judicial branch of our government to be of service to me.

Judge Chin was about to sentence the perpetrator of the greatest financial crime in the history of this great nation.I waited in great anticipation as Judge Chin described the scope of the crime committed by Madoff.He noted that the fraud went on for more than 20 years and reached thousands of victims.He talked about the lack of cooperation in locating funds to return to the defrauded investors. Finally, and ominously, the judge talked about justice, objectivity and his responsibility to arrive at a proportionate sentence without emotion.My great fear was that the judge was about to sentence Madoff to something less that the maximum permitted by law.Thoughts flashed through my mind about the absolute failure of government agencies to protect me from this massive fraud.I had this feeling in the pit of my stomach that yet another branch of our government was about to fail me.While Madoff was never going to actually serve the full 150 years, the magnitude of the crime mandated that the full weight of the justice system be brought to bear.Judge Chin did not disappointment me when he announced that Madoff would be sentenced to the full 150 years.The courtroom exploded upon the announcement with the victims cheering and the reporters running for the doors to announce the sentence to the world.

The exultation at having the full support of the judicial branch of government was fleeting.The damage caused by the failure of the SEC to discover this fraud over 7 separate investigations remains.A $400 million fraud in 1992 was allowed to grow to a $65 billion fraud in 2008.The government agency meant to regulate and investigate was incompetent, corrupt or criminally negligent in carrying out their responsibilities.We, the victims of this criminal activity are paying a very stiff price for the failure of government.

Madoff was an equal opportunity thief.He stole from the rich, the poor and everyone in between.Groups including charities, pension plans, unions, mutual funds and IRAs were targeted.It is beyond belief that he acted alone and I feel that he had partners in this crime.It is very sad that one of his partners was the SEC.I look forward to the SEC report that should be available in August detailing the failures of the SEC investigations of this beast.Madoff looks like us, talks like us and walks like us. But no one who destroyed the financial lives of so many with so little conscience can be human; so he must be a beast.

Madoff was given a 150 year prison term.I and the other investors got a life sentence.The only financial winners are the Federal and State departments of revenue.The taxes I paid over 20 years were paid on phantom income.This money never existed.The government has a moral obligation to return those taxes.A government that was created of the people, for the people and by the people cannot keep tax money that was obtained as a result of a criminal activity.

As a crime victim of Madoff I ask for the understanding of my fellow citizens.You may not be willing to accept this truth, but this could easily have happened to you.Can you imagine waking up one morning and finding that your pension, IRA or 401K was worthless?

I had faith in the government institutions that were tasked with investigating agencies like Madoff to ensure that it was real. The SEC repeatedly stated that there was no evidence of fraud.With great power comes great responsibility - I believed them, and I will pay for that for the rest of my life.

I also want you to recognize that I am not asking for the return of the money I invested with Madoff Investment Securities, nor do I expect to ever see any of the gains I supposedly earned on those many 1099's over 20 years.I ask only that the taxes paid by a crime victim be returned.The government is not an innocent bystander.It was because of the clean bill of health given by the SEC that I invested in Madoff Securites.

It is WRONG for any government to keep these taxes.Madoff was a thief.I would like to believe that the government is not following in his footsteps.

To Judge Chin I say "thank you."To our elected officials I say that "it is time for you to step forward and do the right thing".

I am one of several hundred members of a group named Madoff Survivors.We support each other in these very trying times.To the members of my group I say - "The government would like us to go away so they do not have to answer for government complicity in damaging us so severely.We will not go away".To the American people I say - "I am one of you, I ask for your understanding and support.Do not turn your back on us.Remember that we are fighting for you too.DO NOT let what happened to us happen to you".As I said earlier "I am nobody - just like you."

Michael (son) and Emma (mother)
Chalfont, Pa