Editorial: Swindler got the jail time he deserves
The Eagle-Tribune
North Andover, Mass.

Many came to see swindler Bernie Madoff get the punishment he deserves; no one appeared to speak in his behalf.

Indeed, U.S. District Judge Denny Chin noted that "not a single letter was submitted in support of Madoff. Not friends, not family. That is telling."

Also telling was the sentence Chin handed down — 150 years in prison — which assures that Madoff, 71, will remain behind bars for life. It's a fair punishment for the man who enriched himself at the expense of so many who'd trusted him with their life savings.

Chin's words and sentence spoke eloquently for the victims.

"Here the message must be sent that Mr. Madoff's crimes were extraordinarily evil and that this kind of manipulation of the system is not just a bloodless crime that takes place on paper," the judge declared, "but one instead that takes a staggering toll."

"He stole from the rich. He stole from the poor. He stole from the in between. He had no values," said Tom Fitzmaurice, one of nine victims allowed to give statements before Madoff's sentencing. "He cheated his victims out of their money so he and his wife, Ruth, could live a life of luxury beyond belief."

Dominic Ambrosino called it an "indescribably heinous crime" and urged a long prison sentence so he "will know he is imprisoned in much the same way he imprisoned us and others."

As for Madoff, he will languish in jail pondering a crime for which, by his own admission Monday, there can be no excuse.