Guilty plea in $380 million Ponzi scheme, feds say
A financial adviser in Georgia, Todd Burkhalter, has pleaded guilty in a Ponzi scheme that bilked more than 2,000 people out of $380 million, federal authorities say.
Ponzi Scheme
RadioShack buyers ran a Ponzi scheme, SEC alleges
The buyers of distressed brick-and-mortar companies like RadioShack and Modell's Sporting Goods, are accused of running a Ponzi scheme.
Retired IRS agent gets 12 years for scamming elderly California woman out of life savings
A retired IRS agent from Southern California has been sentenced to state prison after she was convicted of defrauding an elderly San Francisco Bay Area woman out of $1 million in life savings.
Bernie Madoff's victims to get additional $158 million in restitution
Nearly 25,000 of the victims in Madoff's Ponzi scheme will see restitution through the Madoff Victim Fund.
California man sentenced in cow manure Ponzi scheme
After his arrest, Ray Brewer claimed he saved several soldiers from a fire while serving in the Navy, but later admitted, "these were both lies meant to curry favor with law enforcement."
2/9: Red and Blue
George Santos' work for firm accused of Ponzi scheme drew scrutiny; 2024 GOP presidential field begins to take shape.
Investigating Rep. George Santos' past
A new CBS Reports documentary explores Congressman George Santos' history of lies and his past involvement in a company accused in an alleged Ponzi scheme. CBS News political correspondent Caitlin Huey-Burns discusses "Campaign of Deceit: The Election of George Santos" with Anne-Marie Green and Seth Doane.
2009: The man who knew
In 2009, 60 Minutes interviewed Madoff Ponzi scheme whistleblower Harry Markopolos, who said he alerted the Securities and Exchange Commission of Madoff's fraud starting in 2000.
Bernie Madoff's sister and her husband dead in apparent murder-suicide
They were found unresponsive with gunshot wounds in their residence, police say. Madoff wiped out people's fortunes and ruined charities with a massive Ponzi scheme.
Christian radio host gets 3 life prison terms for bilking listeners
"He ruthlessly stole from his clients who trusted him for almost a decade," said the chief of the Tarrant County DA's Elder Financial Fraud team.
The history behind Bobby Bonilla Day
The Mets are sitting atop National League East and enjoying a good return so far on the team's $196 million payroll. But included in that figure is nearly $1.2 million for a player that hasn't stepped to the plate in more than 20 years, and one the team will continue to pay for another 14 years. Here's more on the now-infamous arrangement between an athlete and an owner, and the most notorious Ponzi scheme in history.
Bernie Madoff: How he pulled it off
On April 14, 2021, Bernard Madoff, who burned thousands of investors through an epic Ponzi scheme, died in prison while serving a 150-year prison sentence. Correspondent Jim Axelrod talks with journalist Jim Campbell, author of "Madoff Talks," who maintained a years-long correspondence with the disgraced investor and his family, to learn exactly how Madoff pulled off the largest financial fraud in Wall Street history.
Bernie Madoff: How he pulled it off
Journalist Jim Campbell, author of "Madoff Talks," maintained a years-long correspondence with the disgraced investor to learn exactly how Madoff pulled off the biggest fraud in American financial history.
Book excerpt: "Madoff Talks" by Jim Campbell
The journalist's new book features exclusive interviews with the disgraced investor who built a Ponzi scheme that grew into the largest financial fraud in Wall Street history.
Ponzi schemer Bernie Madoff dies in prison at 82
Bernie Madoff, the mastermind of the largest Ponzi scheme in history, died in prison at age 82. He suffered from kidney disease in recent years.
Federal prosecutors allege Shkreli lied and stole to keep his other companies afloat
Pharmaceutical CEO Martin Shkreli who was accused of price gouging is out on bail after his arrest Thursday on unrelated securities fraud charges. Federal prosecutors allege Shkreli lied and stole to keep his other companies afloat. He was already called a symbol of corporate greed after his drug company raised the price of a medicine by more than 5,000 percent. Anthony Mason reports.
Martin Shkreli, the pharmaceutical company CEO who caused a public uproar after drastically raising the price of a life-saving prescription drug, was arrested on Thursday
Martin Shkreli, the pharmaceutical company CEO who caused a public uproar after drastically raising the price of a life-saving prescription drug, was arrested on Thursday. Federal prosecutors accuse Shkreli of running a Ponzi-like scheme to pay off investors at his former hedge fund. Anthony Mason reports.
Stocks surged after the Labor Department announced that the U.S. economy added 211,000 jobs in November
Stocks surged after the Labor Department announced that the U.S. economy added 211,000 jobs in November. Also, the trustee of Bernie Madoff's firm began distributing more money to people swindled in Madoff's Ponzi scheme. Hena Daniels reports on the day's top MoneyWatch headlines.
A French company is showing off a self-driving shuttle bus at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas,
A French company is showing off a self-driving shuttle bus at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. It's the first driverless vehicle commercially available in the U.S. With a top speed of 12 miles an hour, the shuttle is intended for college campuses and airport parking lots. That story and more Moneywatch headlines from Wendy Gillette.
Bernie Madoff seeks early release due to end-stage renal disease
Without compassionate release, Madoff's sentence would not end until 2139.
Jeffrey Epstein once worked at firm behind massive Ponzi scheme
"I don't think there was anyone who worked for the company who didn't understand it was a fraud the whole time," a lawyer told CBS News
Bernie Madoff asks Trump for clemency
The perpetrator of the biggest fraud in history is seeking commutation of his 150-year prison sentence, which he is serving in North Carolina
Almanac: Schemer Charles Ponzi
The founding father of financial hijinks, who trapped his investors in a "musical chairs" of fraud, was born on March 3, 1882
Ponzi scheme suspect cast spells, paid $720K for prayers to thwart charges
Six-figure payments for prayers didn't spare Dawn Bennett from a 17-count indictment on fraud charges
Feds charge 3 men after busting $364M Ponzi scheme
Federal prosecutors say the accused ripped off hundreds while spending big on homes, cars and other luxury goods
ICE chief, immigration officials set to testify to House panel today
The leaders of ICE, CBP and USCIS are set to testify before the House Homeland Security Committee on Tuesday.
Ukrainian Olympian's tribute to war victims barred at Winter Games
International Olympic Committee bars a Ukrainian skeleton racer from wearing a helmet showing images of fellow athletes killed in Russia's invasion.
Thousands of mothers were flagged to police over flawed drug tests at childbirth
The Marshall Project found more than 70,000 cases referred to law enforcement over allegations of substance use during pregnancy — and that's a significant undercount.
Savannah Guthrie pleads for public's help in search for missing mom Nancy
"Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie issued a plea for the public's help on Monday at what she called "an hour of desperation" in the search for her mother, Nancy.
Maryland mom plans to self-deport after her child died while she was in ICE custody
A Maryland mother is planning to self-deport after she was taken into ICE custody, causing her to miss her son's death.
King Charles says royals will help if police probe Andrew's Epstein ties
King Charles II says the royal family will support U.K. police as they look into a report that the monarch's brother Andrew shared secret info with Epstein.
Obamacare sign-ups drop, but the extent won't be clear for months
Experts say Affordable Care Act sign-up data won't be clear until people who were enrolled have paid — or not — their new, often much higher, premiums.
U.S. hockey star Laila Edwards talks about historic Olympic debut
Hockey star Laila Edwards said she's "just so thankful" to represent Team USA at the Winter Olympics, making her historic debut on the ice Thursday.
Chappell Roan leaves Wasserman talent agency after his mentions in Epstein files
Chappell Roan says she's left her talent agency after its CEO, Casey Wasserman, was named in files related to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
U.S.
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Stowaway with 789 pounds of cocaine pulled from harbor, Coast Guard says
The stowaway was first spotted as a barge was tugged into San Juan's Old Army Terminal port. Then officials saw them in the water.
U.S. hockey star Laila Edwards talks about historic Olympic debut
Hockey star Laila Edwards said she's "just so thankful" to represent Team USA at the Winter Olympics, making her historic debut on the ice Thursday.
Last sexual misconduct lawsuits against NFL QB Deshaun Watson dismissed
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has had the final two of nearly 30 civil lawsuits against him dismissed.
Warren and Hawley team up to try to break up "Big Medicine"
Warren and Hawley don't agree on much, but they've found common ground on health care and affordability.
Thousands of mothers were flagged to police over flawed drug tests at childbirth
The Marshall Project found more than 70,000 cases referred to law enforcement over allegations of substance use during pregnancy — and that's a significant undercount.
MoneyWatch
More MoneyWatch
Social media giants accused of "addicting the brains of children" as trial begins
Instagram's parent company Meta and Google's YouTube dispute claims that their platforms deliberately addict and harm children.
OpenAI starts testing ads in free version of ChatGPT
ChatGPT will clearly distinguish between ads and answers to user prompts on the AI platform, according to OpenAI.
Why importing more beef from Argentina won't ease costs for U.S. consumers
Taming runaway U.S. beef prices will require more than stepping up imports, economists said. Here's the key to cutting costs.
Starbucks adds menu items as it looks to energize growth
New items, such as a strawberry matcha loaf, represent the chain's latest effort to boost sales as part of its "Back to Starbucks" campaign.
How much gold is in an Olympic gold medal, and how much is it worth?
Olympic medals have what's known as a "melt value." But they're worth far more financially than their mineral contents, an auction expert notes.
Politics
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Warren and Hawley team up to try to break up "Big Medicine"
Warren and Hawley don't agree on much, but they've found common ground on health care and affordability.
Democrats reject latest White House offer on ICE with DHS funding expiring
Democratic leaders a say White House proposal doesn't make the grade as they demand new restrictions on ICE and threaten a shutdown of the Homeland Security Department.
Chappell Roan leaves Wasserman talent agency after his mentions in Epstein files
Chappell Roan says she's left her talent agency after its CEO, Casey Wasserman, was named in files related to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
ICE chief, immigration officials set to testify to House panel today
The leaders of ICE, CBP and USCIS are set to testify before the House Homeland Security Committee on Tuesday.
U.S. military strikes another alleged drug vessel; search on for 1 survivor
The U.S. military struck its 39th alleged drug-carrying boat on Monday, killing two people and leaving one survivor who is now the focus of a search-and-rescue effort.
HealthWatch
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Thousands of mothers were flagged to police over flawed drug tests at childbirth
The Marshall Project found more than 70,000 cases referred to law enforcement over allegations of substance use during pregnancy — and that's a significant undercount.
Obamacare sign-ups drop, but the extent won't be clear for months
Experts say Affordable Care Act sign-up data won't be clear until people who were enrolled have paid — or not — their new, often much higher, premiums.
Hospital flooded by Hurricane Helene to be rebuilt in another flood plain
Ballad Health, the nation's largest state-sanctioned hospital monopoly, plans to rebuild Unicoi County Hospital in Tennessee on land that two climate modeling companies say is at risk of flooding.
Her deadly diagnosis only had 1 warning sign. Here's how she survived.
Becca Valle, then 37, enrolled in a cutting-edge clinical trial after surgery removed an aggressive tumor from her brain.
California urges avoiding wild mushrooms after deaths, liver transplants
More than three dozen cases of death cap mushroom poisonings have been reported in California since November, health officials said.
World
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King Charles says royals will help if police probe Andrew's Epstein ties
King Charles II says the royal family will support U.K. police as they look into a report that the monarch's brother Andrew shared secret info with Epstein.
Ukrainian Olympian's tribute to war victims barred at Winter Games
International Olympic Committee bars a Ukrainian skeleton racer from wearing a helmet showing images of fellow athletes killed in Russia's invasion.
Son of Norway's future queen accused of raping sleeping woman
Marius Borg Hoiby, Crown Princess Mette-Marit's 29-year-old son, is on trial facing 38 charges, including raping four women and assaults against ex-girlfriends.
5 workers from Canadian mining company found dead in Mexico
Authorities said that five of the 10 missing workers have been identified among 10 bodies found in clandestine graves.
U.S. Olympian responds after Trump calls him "a real loser"
U.S. Olympian Hunter Hess said "there is so much that is great about America, but there are always things that could be better," a day after President Trump lashed out at him.
Entertainment
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Chappell Roan leaves Wasserman talent agency after his mentions in Epstein files
Chappell Roan says she's left her talent agency after its CEO, Casey Wasserman, was named in files related to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Analyzing best and worst Super Bowl LX ads
Just 30 seconds of highly coveted commercial airtime during the Super Bowl costs as much as $10 million, according to CBS News MoneyWatch. Bill Pearce, marketing faculty member at The University of California, Berkeley, joins to discuss some of the ads from Super Bowl LX.
Could Trump's Bad Bunny attacks alienate Latinos?
Bad Bunny's historic Super Bowl halftime show included superstar surprise guests and a message of unity and cultural celebration. While many praised the performance, President Trump took to social media to criticize the show. CBS News political director Fin Gómez joins with analysis.
Bad Bunny and the politics of the Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is a football game, an entertainment spectacle, a global billboard and a crucible of American political discord. CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett explains.
Catherine O'Hara's cause of death was a pulmonary embolism
Catherine O'Hara, known for her roles in "Home Alone," "Schitt's Creek" and "Beetlejuice," died on Jan. 30 at the age of 71.
Technology
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Social media giants accused of "addicting the brains of children" as trial begins
Instagram's parent company Meta and Google's YouTube dispute claims that their platforms deliberately addict and harm children.
Trial over social media addiction in kids begins
Opening statements began Monday in Los Angeles in a landmark trial over alleged social media addiction in children. CBS News correspondent Carter Evans has the details.
How AI powered robots are helping small farms
From labor shortages to environmental impacts, farmers are looking to AI to help revolutionize the agriculture industry. One California startup, Farm-ng, is tapping into the power of AI and robotics to perform a wide range of tasks, including seeding, weeding and harvesting.
OpenAI starts testing ads in free version of ChatGPT
ChatGPT will clearly distinguish between ads and answers to user prompts on the AI platform, according to OpenAI.
Super Bowl fans warned to leave drones at home amid flight ban
The FAA says it is collaborating with the FBI to detect, track and assess unauthorized drone activity at the Super Bowl.
Science
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Scientists "quite surprised" to find one polar bear population thriving
After decades monitoring polar bears in Norway's far north, researchers say the animals have proven incredibly adaptable, but there are no guarantees for the future.
Mysterious dark matter seen in new map of distant galaxies
Dark matter doesn't absorb or give off light so scientists can't study it directly. But they can observe how its gravity warps and bends the star stuff around it.
Cow develops technique to scratch herself
"CBS Saturday Morning" learns more about Veronika, the clever cow who figured out multiple ways to scratch herself with a broom. It was the first time a cow was seen using a tool.
Almanac: January 18
"Sunday Morning" looks back at historical events on this date.
Fossils found at Dinosaur National Monument, first excavation in 100 years
The Dinosaur National Monument, which is located on the border between Colorado and Utah, was last excavated in 1924.
Crime
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Stowaway with 789 pounds of cocaine pulled from harbor, Coast Guard says
The stowaway was first spotted as a barge was tugged into San Juan's Old Army Terminal port. Then officials saw them in the water.
Lawmakers review unredacted Epstein files
Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime associate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, refused to respond to House Oversight and Government Reform Committee questions on Monday. This comes as lawmakers begin to review the unredacted files from the latest release of files related to Epstein. CBS News' Taurean Small reports.
Savannah Guthrie calls for help to find mom
"Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie again issued a call for help as the search for her missing mother, Nancy Guthrie, stretches into a second week. Her plea was posted to social media several hours before the possible abductor's second deadline in an apparent ransom note.
Search for Nancy Guthrie enters Day 10
The search for Nancy Guthrie, Savanna Guthrie's mother, continues on Day 10. This comes as the deadline from an alleged ransom note has passed. CBS News' Bradley Blackburn reports, and Chip Massey, a former FBI special agent, joins with more on the potential investigation.
King Charles says royals will help if police probe Andrew's Epstein ties
King Charles II says the royal family will support U.K. police as they look into a report that the monarch's brother Andrew shared secret info with Epstein.
Space
More Space
New space station crew eager for Wednesday launch
The new crew will replace four station fliers who returned to Earth ahead of schedule last month due to a medical issue.
What led NASA to delay Artemis II launch
NASA's first crewed moon mission in more than 50 years has been delayed until March at the earliest. During a routine dress rehearsal of the launch, persistent liquid hydrogen leaks were discovered in the Artemis II rocket. CBS News space consultant Bill Harwood breaks it down.
NASA hopes to fix Artemis II moon rocket leak with on-pad repair
NASA plans to test the planned leak repair with a second dress rehearsal fueling test later this month.
NASA delays Artemis II launch
NASA delayed the Artemis II moon rocket launch after a hydrogen leak was found during a wet dress rehearsal, the agency announced Tuesday. CBS News senior space consultant Bill Harwood has the latest.
NASA begins mission to map the boundaries of our heliosphere
A NASA mission is underway to map the heliosphere, which is a huge protective bubble around the solar system that was created by the sun.
Latest Galleries
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Notable Deaths in 2026
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Evidence in the Barbara Kendhammer case
Does the evidence show a cover-up, or was Todd Kendhammer wrongfully convicted for the murder of his wife?
The life & near death of prizefighter Christy Salters-Martin
Christy Salters-Martin dominated in the boxing ring but faced her toughest challenger at home.
Timeline: The disappearance of George Smith
Family seeks answers in death of newlywed who disappeared in 2005 while on Mediterranean honeymoon cruise.
Who is Alix Tichelman?
Meet the tattooed beauty charged in the death of Google executive Forrest Hayes.
Latest CBS News Videos
More Latest CBS News Videos
Latest CBS News Videos
Trial against social media giants underway
Opening statements began Monday in Los Angeles in a landmark trial against Meta and Google, marking the first time these companies are facing a jury. The social media giants are accused of intentionally designing their products to be addictive in a way that is harmful for teens.
Lawmakers review unredacted Epstein files
Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime associate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, refused to respond to House Oversight and Government Reform Committee questions on Monday. This comes as lawmakers begin to review the unredacted files from the latest release of files related to Epstein. CBS News' Taurean Small reports.
Lawmakers question Epstein files redactions
Members of Congress were given their first chance on Monday to look at any of the millions of pages of unreleased, unredacted Epstein case files, but said viewing the files is now raising more questions, including the possibility that other people are implicated in possible crimes. FBI director Kash Patel has previously said there's no evidence anyone other than Jeffrey Epstein is implicated. Scott MacFarlane reports.
Savannah Guthrie calls for help to find mom
"Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie again issued a call for help as the search for her missing mother, Nancy Guthrie, stretches into a second week. Her plea was posted to social media several hours before the possible abductor's second deadline in an apparent ransom note.
Search for Nancy Guthrie enters Day 10
The search for Nancy Guthrie, Savanna Guthrie's mother, continues on Day 10. This comes as the deadline from an alleged ransom note has passed. CBS News' Bradley Blackburn reports, and Chip Massey, a former FBI special agent, joins with more on the potential investigation.