Madoff Client List Includes Sandy Koufax

Sandy Koufax, three time Cy Young winner and Dodgers great, is on a distinguished list of clients that Bernie Madoff conned out of millions with his Ponzi scheme, according to documents that were made public in a U.S. Bankruptcy court yesterday.

Koufax was a friend of former Mets owner Mike Wilpon, and as a result ran in the same circles as the man who allegedly pulled off "the biggest financial fraud in history."

The list emerged late Wednesday, shortly after a whistleblower in the case, Harry Markopolos, told House lawmakers at a hearing that he had discovered that additional funds had relayed investments to Madoff in Europe - and that the managers of these "feeder" funds may have ignored signs of the massive fraud scheme.

The list of client names, including those of Madoff's relatives, numerous celebrities, dead people and charitable institutions, are listed on a 162-page document. Each page carries 84 single-spaced lines. Some customers are listed multiple times, presumably because they had multiple accounts.

There was no specific mention of how much Koufax lost, but presumably, if he was able to invest with Madoff, it was a substantial chunk of change. Also included on the list are actor Kevin Bacon, World Trade Center developer Larry Silverstein and Ira Sorkin, Madoff's attorney in the matter.

While it's shocking to see the names of celebrities on the list, the most depressing aspect of the Madoff case is that by suckering individuals out of millions, he managed to really empty the pockets of many non-profits, who don't have substantial financial backing to overcome the loss.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

2-05-2009 @ 10:16AM

TheHulk said...

Not Madoff, M-Fraud

2-05-2009 @ 3:29PM

wmkingsman said...

Correction: It's Fred Wilpon, not Mike. And leave Sandy alone, this is not newsworthy. He made investments, like anyone else would. No story.

2-05-2009 @ 5:30PM

wl944s said...

This is investor fraud by ALL people involved, including the investors. No different than: "Pssst, wanna buy a TV that fell off the back of a truck?" (wink, wink. Greedy idiots who got caught with their hand in the cookie jar. What about all of the jewish "non-profit" charities, who put up "non-profit" money in this? I'm 'sure' the profits were going to be reinvested into the charity! LMAO! Those perps should be rotting in jail with Madoff.

2-05-2009 @ 5:44PM

scottmetro5000 said...

HE FLAT OUT SCHEMED BILLIONS FROM PPL.... IN MY BOOK HE IS A THIEF.....

2-05-2009 @ 7:05PM

kwmcguig said...

I do not feel the least bit sorry for the Madoff investors!

2-05-2009 @ 10:30PM

kenny m said...

first thing i was ever taught never ever put all
your eggs in one basket any sane investor would live by that rule so i have no compassion for them though the non profits might be another story

2-05-2009 @ 11:14PM

tim mcguire said...

why is this guy still not in jail? this guy should be treated as a terrorist. no current terrorist could inflick this damage on our economy. do what they do in china quick trial, and shoot em in the back of the head. He has caused more damage than any single bombing...shoot em

2-05-2009 @ 11:32PM

Dave said...

Why is it supposedly shocking for you to hear that the names of celebrities appear on this monumentally corrupt clown's long list considering he was thought of by many to be a living legend of Wall Street and had been running around in celebrity crowds for years? These people are talented in the fields that have brought them the notoriety they've enjoyed over time but few of them even remotely resembles a financial genius, that's the point. What, because they're rich and famous they should have known better? It would be naive for anyone to analyze the situation in such simplistic terms.

2-06-2009 @ 2:20AM

tese42s said...

Biggest financial fraud in history, and they send him to one of his mansions. I hope he is suffering.

2-06-2009 @ 12:35PM

Michael said...

This miseralble pond-scum sucking rotten SOB is aptly named since he "Madoff" will peoples life savings ruining so many lives. He should receive the death penalty. I doubt that would happen but he should at least never see the light of day again. Don't drop the soap Madoff......enjoy prison.

2-06-2009 @ 2:21PM

red, white & YOU said...

Its good to see that Madoff was ripping off his on KIND. But then who else would he rip off? Not the average Guy. Must be a nice circle of friends/money he hung out with...OY Vey.....LMFAO

2-06-2009 @ 2:38PM

Suzi said...

If you bother to actually read the list instead of just running your mouths without the facts, you would see the people that got hurt the worst were regular working people who trusted their employers. Yes, there are some big names on there but it's the other ones that are staggering. Unions and companies who directly used Madoff's services for their employee's 401Ks, IRAs, and retirement funds or profit sharing for unions, private businesses, etc. The names on the list are just the ones who directly with Madoff. There are so many companies who were indirectly connected to him and didn't even know it. Shame on all of you who think "It can't happen to me." Tell the kids who just lost their Police Athletic League Scholarship they deserved it. Tell the kids who are in college and now going to be kicked out because their scholarships do not exist anymore. What awful people some of you are - awful or just plain ignorant.

2-06-2009 @ 4:15PM

westcot111 said...

Sad fact is without sufficient deterrence, such as long jail sentences and forfeiture of all money, this likely wont be the last story of this kind.

2-06-2009 @ 4:22PM

chilco said...

Bernie made campaign donation's to BH Obama, that's why he is lounging at his penthouse instead of awaiting trial in an orange jump suit. They oughtta make a bronze statue and put it next to Sandy's in the Hall of Fame.

2-06-2009 @ 4:40PM

geezerearl said...

Suspect Sandy wishes he could unload a couple of
his fastballs at Uncle Bernies knees.

2-06-2009 @ 5:55PM

Dan D. said...

Was it possible that Madoff pulled of the largest ponzi scheme in history alone? I think that is unlikely considering how much money was changing hands.

Eventually somebody had to notice that the only money coming in was from investors.

Or were too many people simply blinded by their greed? If that is the case, Madoff’s employees and associates should have noticed that something fishy was going on long before now. Seventeen years is a long time.

http://www.weeklypoint.com/2009/02/06/how-many-people-knew-about-madoff-scandal/