Lee Sorkin, Bernie Madoff's Lawyer, Speaks Out: 150-Year Sentence Is "Absurd" (VIDEO)

Bernie Madoff's attorney Lee Sorkin is in the unfortunate decision of decision of having to defend a client who is one of the most reviled criminals in America right now. Interviewed by Matt Lauer on the "Today Show" this morning, Sorkin criticized the sentence of 150 years handed down by the judge:

My reaction is the justice system is not based on vengeance and it's not built on symbolism... 150 years is absurd under the guidelines under the sentencing statutes.

Lauer pointed out that making an example of Madoff was not the only the condition the judge considered when handing out the sentence. The judge made clear that he believed Madoff did not confess to right a wrong, but did so because he was about to get caught. He also said that Madoff had not been cooperative and that he had not received a single 'letter of good character' offering support for Madoff. Instead, there had been a flood of letters condemning the Ponzi-schemer.

Sorkin declined to address the cooperation issue, saying those issues were still ongoing in investigations. He tried to combat the idea that Madoff only confessed because he was about to caught, but his argument that Madoff's Ponzi scheme was falling apart years before the financial crisis exposed it and that Madoff could have just fled the country fell flat. Especially because Madoff's victims spanned the globe.

Watch the interview below.

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Comments

[Harbinger08]

I think if Madoff doesn't think he can serve out a 150 year sentence if would be okay with me if he just serves as much of it as he can.

[dolphy]

I'll give him a plea deal. One year less for each billion accounted for.

[Artos]

It won't. Madoff was the perpetrator of an obvious crime whose discovery was long overdue due to the failings of the Government. There are many others in High Finance that are even now still lose and enjoying their ill gotten gains because they were smarter than Madoff, they stole using the convoluted laws that they helped create. That's where your complex financial dealings comes in. This is why they get away with it. They will go on robbing us until people get smart and stop investing in the Stock Market.

[Hawaii5-0]

How about this, take 1 year off for every $1B he can return to investors. Of course, Ruthie has probably moved the money to where even he can't get at it.

[Artamentous]

They should have sentenced him to say 35 years in prison.

[nomorefed]

People now are getting paid the SAME WAGES as they did in 2000. But are prices at 2000
levels? H3LL NO. So they go into debt, adding more layers tothe USA debt ponzi scheme.

good finance articles: http://heavysidetrade.blogspot.com/

[jeffp26]

Ike Sorkin ran the SEC manhattan office for three years.

He did not catch Madoff.

Ike's two sons "made" money investing with Madoff. They got back more than they put. Guess who that extra money came from?

Now Ike is getting paid with even more stolen money. Money partially stolen while Sorkin was supposed to be representing the victims here.

[HelloFunnyWorld]

Wow. Is this true: the lawyer was with the SEC and his sons made money through Bernie Madoff ....??

[SamKnause]

Well it is a start in the right direction. When are all the crooks who caused our economy to collapse going to be tried and convicted? Oh, I forgot, they didn't do anything illegal. When are all the elected government officials who wrote and passed the laws that have destroyed this country going to be tried and convicted? I would love for a judge to send them the same kind of message.

[motodude]

You know what is really absurd? Stealing $65 billion from people and charities.

[madbonger618]

took the words right out of my mouth.

[Senzasord]

Let the punishment fit the crime. He should be obliged to run a gauntlet of all of his victims. If there is no restitution there will be at least catharsis.

[nimo]

They will fake his death in prison and he'll end up in the bahamas with ken lay.......­....except ken lay had the help of bush & co., but still money can buy anything

[LeeCalif]

It's only a 75 year with good behavior.

So, are they going after his sons , now ?

[jcko]

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, so is Maddog's loot.

[dharma41]

The only thing absurd about the Madoff sentence is that there aren't any of those criminally responsible for the Wall Street/Banking collapse going to jail with him. When are we going to see an indictment of even one of those guys? Much as I would like to see it, I ain't holding my breath.

[SamKnause]

I agree!!!

[glorialovelace]

Madoff can -- and probably will -- appeal the 150-year sentence.

[jcko]

The judge should reduce it by 10% on compassionate ground.

[myoungholt]

Madoff's whole life and scheme were absurd.

So instead of an eye for an eye, we have absurdity for absurdity.

[HelloFunnyWorld]

"Madoff's whole life and scheme were absurd.So instead of an eye for an eye, we have absurdity for absurdity.­"

Good come back - an eye for an eye gets one absurdity for another.

[DelmarkGoldfarb]

That does it. They're not getting any more of my money.