The late Wall Street fraudster had conned thousands of people around the world. His sister and her husband were found dead in an apparent murder-suicide.
Madoff, who was sentenced to 150 years in prison, died last yearImage: Mario Tama/Getty Images
Advertisement
The sister of late Wall Street fraudster Bernie Madoff was found dead with her husband in an apparent murder-suicide in Florida, authorities said on Sunday.
Sondra Wiener, 87, and her 90-year-old husband, Marvin, were from Boynton Beach. They were found unresponsive, with gunshot wounds, inside their residence.
"Detectives from the Violent Crimes Division arrived on scene to investigate further. After further investigation it appears to be a murder/suicide," the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.
The medical examiner will determine the official cause of death.
When contacted by phone, a woman identifying as their son David Wiener's wife requested privacy "at this time of grief."
"We are not making any comment at this time," she said.
Who is Bernie Madoff?
Madoff, the man behind the biggest Ponzi scheme in history, died in prison last year at the age of 82. He ran a ripoff pyramid scheme that conned thousands of people around the world. He was serving a 150-year sentence after pleading guilty to fraud and other charges in 2009.
At the time of his death, court-appointed trustees had clawed back an estimated $14 billion (€11.7 billion) of the estimated $17.5 billion that investors had put into his business.
see/fb (Reuters, AFP)
Scandal-ridden bosses — how the mighty keep falling
After Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn was accused of underreporting his income for years to financial authorities, DW looks at other top executives — often saviors of big companies — who ended up in the firing line.
Image: picture alliance/AP Images
Nissan boss Ghosn's affairs scrutinized
Nissan Motor chairman Carlos Ghosn was arrested in November 2018 and subsequently charged with falsifying financial reports and breach of trust. He led a remarkable turnaround at the Japanese automaker, rescuing it from bankruptcy. An investigation continues into whether he under-reported his salary by 5 billion yen (€39 million $44.5 million) over five years from 2011.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/T. Chea
VW boss takes the rap for Dieselgate
Ex-Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn resigned in 2015 in the midst of the Dieselgate scandal. The automaker was found to have lowered the emissions of its diesel-engine cars during environmental tests. VW set aside €27 billion to pay fines, buybacks and compensation Winterkorn has been charged in the US with fraud and conspiracy, but Germany does not allow the extradition of its nationals.
Image: picture alliance/dpa/U. Zucchi
Corruption shame blighted Siemens CEO
In 2007, Siemens chairman Heinrich von Pierer stepped down following a corruption scandal during his time as CEO. During the investigation it emerged that Siemens had created a system of slush funds and fictitious consultancy contracts, while also paying huge bribes, totaling at least €1.3 billion euros to win foreign contracts. Pierer later agreed to pay €5 million in damages to the firm.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/F. Mächler
Weinstein's notorious casting couch
Once-powerful movie titan, Harvey Weinstein, has been accused by dozens of women of sexual misconduct ranging from harassment to rape. He is out on bail and has pleaded not guilty in New York to six counts reportedly committed against three women. The accusations against him spurred the #MeToo movement, where women worldwide have spoken up against sexual harassment and assault.
Image: picture-alliance/AP/S. Hirsch
Advertising guru accused of misconduct
Sir Martin Sorrell, the founder of the global advertising powerhouse WPP, stepped down in April after 33 years. He denied accusations of personal misconduct and misuse of company assets. The Wall Street Journal alleged Sorrell had paid a sex worker on company expenses, which he responded were “scurrilous and salacious" claims.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/M. Lennihan
Startup bad boy leaves under a cloud
Uber CEO Travis Kalanick resigned from his position in July 2017 after heavy pressure from several major investors in the San Francisco-based ride-hailing company. Concerns were raised about Kalanick's management style, including allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination. Under his watch, the firm's ruthless reputation has also been criticized by regulators. Author: Nik Martin
