A judge today questioned the value of any testimony from Bernie Madoff’s right hand man — coldly declaring that anyone who could be hurt by Frank DiPascali is “in prison in Butner, North Carolina or at the bottom of a swimming pool someplace.”
Manhattan federal judge Richard Sullivan spoke at a hearing on a joint prosecution and defense request to spring him loose on a $10 million bail package.
“Do I need to read cooperation for dummies? I get it. I want to make sure the victims and the public get it,” he said.
Ponzi scammer Madoff is serving a 150-year sentence and Jeffry Picower, who made billions of dollars on the sceme before it imploded, drowned in his swimming pool in Palm Beach, Fl.
Madoff, 71, is serving a 150-year sentence at the Butner federal prison in North Carolina for masterminding a mind-boggling $65 billion Ponzi scheme.
Sullivan noted DiPascali, 53, faces a potentially “crushing” 125-year prison sentence after he pleaded guilty to 10 criminal charges.
The judge ordered both sides to present further documentation to prove DiPascali’s testimony would serve a purpose before he makes a ruling.
So far, no one else has been charged in the fraud, but authorities are looking at possible roles of Madoff’s relatives and employees.
With Post wire services