Anyone else surprised Madoff was actually arrested

[Juche]

I have gotten so used to rich, powerful criminals getting off scott free that it is still weird to see Madoff go down.

[BuyingThyme]

1. Yes.

This stuff usually takes years.

[Juche]

2. Or never

Ask Kissinger

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

3. Not at all.

Bernie Madoff's victims were very powerful people.

[Booster]

4. I certainly am. If he had pled not guilty, he could have

possibly lived the rest of his life outside of prison. Something's fishy here - maybe an apartment opened up next door to Ken Lay.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

5. surprised and gladdened

to see it, there need to be lots more like him go the same way

[nichomachus]

6. Not at all -- he stole from rich people -- that's when they arrest you

If you steal from poor people, they give you even more money.

Rule of thumb: If you're going to steal, steal big. If you steal small, 7-11 or something like that, you go to jail. Steal from poor people. If you steal from rich people, they will get you. Then, make sure it's a federal crime. Then, even if you do go to jail, your biggest worry is that you won't get the tee time you want.

[rvablue]

7. No he pled guilty. And given that he still has money and probably some monied connections

he was a serious flight risk at this point.

The judge would have been seriously negligent in not remanding him to custody.

I will be surprised if he gets more than a couple of years in jail. I will celebrate when/if I'm wrong on that cynical opinion.

[Elidor]

8. I'm currently warming the cockles of my heart over the warm flame of the thought of him in there

I saw a news report where someone said he went to court today not knowing if he'd ever see his penthouse again. Aww. Isn't that sweet?

No more 2400 thread count sheets. No more jacuzzi. No more servants at his beck and call. All his toys are gone. There won't be any filet mignon in the chow hall, and the company is rather crude. And as someone else pointed out, a lot of those guys in jail have families on the outside who are hurting financially because of people like him. Bernie is probably not having a good night.

But I am. It's kind of a warm, fuzzy feeling.

[Demeter]

9. They Probably Put Him In Jail Immediately to Prevent Suicide

Madoff may have the delusion that if he kills himself before sentencing, he's scot-free, his family is scot-free, and the loot stays in the family, just like Kenny Boy and his fortuitous and timely death.

I don't think that could possibly work, since Bush isn't in power any more, and probably didn't know Bernie from a hole in the wall, anyway.

[Fire1]

10. yep.