Matt Lauer Fed Up With Bernie Madoff
Jan. 21 2009, Published 5:12 a.m. ET
Although Today co-anchor Matt Lauer did not lose money in the Bernie Madoff swindle, Lauer still feels touched by the affair.
The two men live at the same ritzy Park Avenue apartment and, as the National Enquirer reports, Lauer is sick of the media attention that Madoff has brought to the once-peaceful neighborhood.
"The upscale building had been a very peaceful place, but with Bernie living there it's turned into an absolute circus. Throngs of media people and onlookers stand outside to try to see him coming or going," said one eyewitness. "Matt is very upset over it."
"I saw Matt wigging out when he arrived home and tried to get in the front entrance past hordes of photographers. He was yelling, 'Go home, there's no show here. Leave us alone!'"
The 51 year-old Lauer lives with his wife, Annette Roque, and their three children in a $5 million co-op apartment, while Madoff resides in a $7 million penthouse in the same building.
The noise outside Lauer's front door has reportedly made it hard for him to relax during his weekends.
"All this unwanted attention, with media from around the world camped outside Matt's door at various times of the day and night, is driving him bonkers," continued the eyewitness. "He hates the clogged sidewalk out front and he's fearful for his kids."
Unfortunately for Matt, the 70 year-old Madoff was permitted to stay out prison on $10 million bail. So the media may stick around for a while.