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Bernie Madoff, Notorious Ponzi Schemer, Claims He’s Dying and Wants Early Release

The notorious former financier's attorney said Madoff had “less than 18 months to live.”

Bernie Madoff, who is serving a 15-year prison sentence after operating a massive Ponzi scheme, claims he is dying of kidney disease and is seeking early release so he can die at home. According to CNBC, Madoff's lawyer said in a legal filing that the former financier is suffering from “numerous other serious medical conditions,” including cardiovascular disease and hypertension, and has less than two years to live. “Madoff has expressed remorse for his crimes,” the filing read. “Now, after over ten years of incarceration and with less than 18 months to live, Madoff humbly asks this Court for a modicum of compassion.” The 81-year-old, who is serving his sentence in a North Carolina federal facility, stole an estimated $20 billion from investors. He pleaded guilty in 2009. In an interview with The Washington Post, Madoff said he was “terminally ill.” “There’s no cure for my type of disease. So, you know, I’ve served,” he said. “I’ve served 11 years already, and, quite frankly, I’ve suffered through it.”