Bernie Behind Bars: Madoff’s Prison Life (Life at "Camp Fluffy")

Newsweek ^ | June 7, 2010

[Wolfie]

Bernie Behind Bars: Madoff’s Prison Life

Checking in on one of New York's most notorious swindlers.

Wondering how poor Bernie Madoff is faring in prison? New York magazine's Steve Fishman talked to dozens of current and former inmates at the Butner Federal Correctional Complex in North Carolina, who described an unrepentant Madoff who signs autographs and boasts of his fraud.

On one occasion at the prison, known as “Camp Fluffy,” Madoff was being badgered by a fellow inmate about his crimes, reports Fishman. “F--k my victims,” Madoff reportedly said. “I carried them for 20 years, and now I’m doing 150 years.” He told other inmates that his only crime was taking money from those who were "rich and greedy and wanted more."

Far from vilifying Madoff for his arrogant views, many of his fellow prisoners idolize him; one even called him a hero. Others make do with seeking autographs (which he rarely grants, for fear they'll be sold on eBay) and asking his financial advice. A third, very optimistic, group believe Madoff must have a stash somewhere--and that he might give it up if they ask nicely.

[Daveinyork]

A long way from breaking rocks in the hot sun. Madoff fought the law, and Madoff won.

[RexBeach]

Well, I think Bernie has developed some really fine rationalizations in prison. Many cons do. I’ve met a lot of innocent people in prison.

What a guy!

Hey, Bernie, your only crime was defrauding people...even friends.

Putz.

[TheBigIf]

I still cannot believe that no one speculates as to whether Madoff was a pawn for the mob. Someone made sure that the feds did nothing and still where did all of the money go? It is difficult to believe that this was done alone.

[70th Division]

Bernie, It is time for your semi-anual A$$ Kicking.

[nonliberal]

This guy did nothing different than what our federal government does.

[Maverick68]

I don’t care how “cushy” a prison is, the loss of freedom, no matter how minor sucks...

[dfwgator]

He needs to be in Federal “Pound Me in the A$$” Prison.

[Vermont Lt]

They are ALL pound me in the butt prisons.

Dont be fooled by the “country club” label.

Prison sucks. Even a good prison sucks.

[Wolfie]

Federal “Pound me in the A$$” prison is not for convicts who resemble our judges.

[Nachum]

This reminds of some movie I saw with George Burns. It would be funny, except for the sorry state of his victims.

[Random Access]

Kind of reminds me.... I wonder what daily life for O.J. is like in his prison. Sure haven’t heard much from or about him since he checked in.

[bandleader]

Am I meant to believe that Bernie wasn’t “Greedy and Wanted More”?

[RedWhiteBlue]

I wondered the same thing. There was some noise at the time that this all collapsed that the Russian mob had invested money with him and they would be after him. However, I thought it was possible that he ran the scam as a front for the Russian mob and he took the fall alone to keep the heat off of them.

[perfect stranger]

He told other inmates that his only crime was taking money from those who were "rich and greedy and wanted more".

This statement coming from a former stock broker, investment adviser, and non-executive chairman of the NASDAQ stock market does truly reek with hypocracy.

{The phrase "The pot calling the kettle black" is an idiom used to accuse a person or thing of being marked with or guilty of the very thing they are pointing out. This may or may not be hypocritical or a contradiction.}