Employees and Accomplices
Madoff said he acted alone. The investigation proved otherwise. Among his accomplices — admitted and alleged:
Frank DiPascali Jr.
When he pleaded guilty last August to 10 charges, including conspiracy, Frank DiPascali Jr., Madoff’s right-hand man/chief financial officer, said he’d “ended up being loyal to a terrible, terrible fault.” He began working for Madoff after graduating high school, and had participated in the scheme for some 20 years. DiPascali, 53, hasn't been sentenced yet, but could face a maximum sentence of 125 years in prison. Federal prosecutors have said they're likely to recommend leniency, however, because of the extent of his cooperation. He was in jail until last month, when a judge granted bail.
David Friehling (above)
Madoff's longtime outside accountant and the firm's supposed auditor, David Friehling, pleaded guilty to several charges, including securities fraud, last November. But he also said, “At no time was I aware that Mr. Madoff was engaged in a Ponzi scheme.” He is awaiting sentencing, and could face as much as 114 years.
Daniel Bonventre
Madoff’s director of operations was charged just two weeks ago. According to the SEC complaint, Bonventre, who worked for Madoff for at least three decades, “enabled and helped perpetuate the now infamous fraud” by falsifying accounting records for years.