Fifteen years after Bernie Madoffs arrest, renowned investigative journalist Richard Behar delivers the definitive account of historys largestand longest-runningfinancial fraud.
Some $65 billion evaporated during Bernie Madoffs epic confidence game. Two people were driven to suicide in the wake of the Ponzi Schemes exposure. Others went to prison. But there has never been a satisfying accounting for how Bernie got away with so much, for so long. Until now.
Richard Behars relationship with Madoff began in 2011 with a simple email request from the inmate. By the time he died in 2021, he had sent Behar more than 300 emails and dozens of hand-written letters, participated in some fifty (recorded) phone conversations, and sat for three in-person jailhouse interviewsa level of access provided to no other reporter. Behar also established unique relationships with dozens of regulators, prosecutors, investors, Wall Street experts, ex-employees of Madoffs, and FBI agents.
The result is the final word on the criminal behind historys most enduring fraudand on those who believed him, covered for him, or locked him up. Behar reveals not only that the fraud traces back decades earlier than Madoff claimed in his confession, but also the complicity of investors (who unfairly blame the SEC), Wall Street insiders, family members, and some of the largest banks in the US and Europe.
Shocking, infuriating, riveting (and at times absurdly funny), Madoff shows us how Bernie ensnared thousands of investors. As Behars dogged reporting over the last fifteen years makes clear, however, there arent many innocents left standing by the end of this tale. Just about everyone involved is guilty, at a minimum, of humanitys most consistent weakness: greed.
