Bernie Madoff Is 'Dying In Prison,' Seeks 'Compassionate Release,' Source Says
Jul. 24 2019, Published 8:00 p.m. ET
Disgraced financial fraudster Bernie Madoff is dying in prison and is seeking a compassionate release, a source exclusively told RadarOnline.com.
Madoff, 81, has filed a petition with the Justice Department asking that President Donald Trump reduce his 150-year prison sentence.
The source told RadarOnline.com Madoff seeks an early release because "his kidney failure started about six months ago and it has gotten worse. It makes him retain fluids, which causes swelling of his lower limbs and abdomen. He was forced to start using a walker about a month ago."
Madoff committed what is believed to be the largest Ponzi scheme in United States history.
Ex-Wall Street giant Madoff's crimes were uncovered in 2008 after 6,000 investors had lost an estimated $64 billion to him.
On June 29, 2009, Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in prison, the maximum allowed. He had pleaded guilty.
The thousands of victims Madoff had ripped off included royalty and celebrities such as actor Kevin Bacon.
Madoff is now incarcerated in the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, North Carolina.
According to RadarOnline.com's source, "He is suffering from stage four kidney disease. His M.D. has recommended that he start dialysis but he is refusing.
"They are trying to send him to the Federal Medical Center across the road from the prison, and he is fighting that too.
"Also he has applied for executive clemency for a commutation of sentence from the president."
- Convicted Fraudster Bernie Madoff Avoided Mob Hit By Going To Jail, Netflix Docuseries Reveals
- The Greatest Con Ever Sold: Radar Investigates How Bernie Madoff Masterminded History's Biggest Financial Swindle
- JPMorgan Bank Severed Ties With Crooked Clients After Bernie Madoff's Arrest But Convicted Perv Jeffrey Epstein Was Cleared: Lawsuit
According to the insider, Madoff has begun the process for applying for compassionate release.
"He has started the administrative process to request release under the compassionate release program for sick and elderly inmates. It will be a few months before he is finished with it and can then submit it to the federal court that sentenced him," the source explained.
Audio tapes released by Audible Inc. showed that Madoff appeared to show no remorse or sympathy for those he had swindled, as RadarOnline.com has reported.
But Madoff was reportedly devastated when his son Mark committed suicide on the second anniversary of his father’s arrest and his son Andrew died of cancer.