U.S. Marshals Head South For Final Madoff Auction
NEW YORK (CBS 2) – The last of financial scammer Bernard Madoff's possessions from his Manhattan penthouse and Montauk beach house sold in an auction yesterday in Midtown.
The U.S. Marshals Service seized the property after Madoff was convicted in July 2009 on 11 separate charges in the biggest Ponzi scheme in history.
Items, such as his 1917 Steinway piano, sold quickly and in many cases well above market value.
At least one buyer expressed some sympathy, not for Madoff, but for his wife, Ruth, after buying their bed.
"My heart goes out to Ruth Madoff and I would be happy to give her back her bed. If she wants it," Upper West Side resident Tally Weiner said.
Now that the New York property finished, the U.S. Marshals will host the third and final auction, selling Madoff's possessions from Palm Beach, Fla. and his wine collection.
"We've sold every boat, every yacht, every house, mansion and every car and this is it for New York City," U.S. Marshal Roland Ubaldo said.
Proceeds go to Madoff's fraud victims.
