.jpg)
Harry Markopolos Associated Press photo
When news of Bernard Madoff''s massive swindle hit the financial world in December it was revealed a Boston whistleblower, Harry Markopolos, had spent the better part of a decade trying to alert the Securities and Exchange Commission to the scam.
I knew I had a local story angle to pursue in Charles Ponzi's old stomping ground but information about the elusive 'financial accountant' who uncovered Madoff's crimes before anyone else was sparse. I soon discovered that Markopolos was a former Special Operations commander and thus his penchant for secrecy became clearer as time went on and he probed deeper into Madoff's web of deception.
Dogged determination finally netted me an interview with the man many view as a national hero. Recently I sat down with Harry in a comfortable conference room in downtown Boston's financial district for a wide-ranging interview.
Markopolos had given his newspaper interview to the Boston Globe and was on the CBS program 60 Minutes for his television interview. Boston radio station WBUR taped an interview for National Public Radio but the internet news media had been missed and my persistence in digging away on the Madoff story was rewarded.
Join me during in the upcoming dozen installments of my interview "Inside the Madoff Scandal" as I get close to Harry Markopolos who candidly answers questions for which many have been waiting the answers. Harry explains his fears, displays his loyalties, and warns of financial problems that need fixing. Here is a hint of what lies ahead.
- Early days in Erie Harry Markopolos spent the first 19 years of his life in Erie, Pennsylvania where the home town is mighty proud of him. Harry reflects back on his days in Erie and the community values of his hometown.
- Special Operations command U.S. Army Reserve officer Markopolos commanded a Special Operations team and tells of his training at JFK Special Warfare School at Fort Bragg sounding a lot like a recruiter and offering a surprise opinion of Donald Rumsfeld.
- Markopolos on Madoff When did Madoff go bad and how much did he take? Markopolos talks directly about Madoff in a candid assessment of the con man.
- FBI's role in Madoff case We get into the criminal investigation of Madoff and efforts made by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
- Securities and Exchange Commission The SEC's chief critic is pleased at current efforts to get up to speed on Wall Street crime. Markolpolos still thinks structural reform of finance regulation is needed.
- Federal Reserve Bank Warning signs for the economy, Markopolos thinks the Federal Reserve system 'cannot be trusted' and offers up some stark criticism of the Fed.
- Wall Street reforms needed Harry rolls up his sleeves and goes after white collar crime, reminiscent of Ralph Nader. Markopolos says the prosperity of America is at risk if we don't fix things on Wall Street soon.
- Madoff's 'dirty money' Not everyone Madoff swindled was a rich celebrity or charitable organization. Madoff was a safe haven for a lot of illegal money from drug cartels and organized crime.
- Markopolos on whistleblowers Harry's business card identifies him as a 'Whistleblower Specialist' and he talks about another Boston whistleblower, Peter Scannell.
- Who is unidentified Ponzi #2 ? During Markopolos' February testimony to Congress he told of a Ponzi #2 that he was going to turn in to the SEC. Was that Allen Stanford as many in the media have speculated?
- Failure of the news media Harry talks about the shortcomings of the news media in covering financial crimes and explores whether or not the internet could have stopped Madoff.
- Markopolos on politics How is he registered to vote, is he interested in public office, who did he vote for? I conclude the 'Inside the Madoff scandal' series with Harry's political views.
« Full Coverage | Continue to Part 2 »
Comments
MADOFF + STANFORD + DREIER + SATYAM + ALBERT HU = PROSKAUER ROSE
Investors who have been burned in these scams should start to seek redress from the lawyers who were involved with these scams. I have been trying to notify regulators and authorities of this TRILLION DOLLAR scam that is putting states like New York and Florida at huge risk, as well as, companies like Intel, Lockheed, SGI and IBM. The states and companies involved in the fraud fail to acknowledge the risk exposing shareholders and citizens to impending liabilities. Investigators, courts and federal agents ignoring the crimes, including a car bombing attempt on my life. I know how Harry felt.
Did I hear Proskauer Rose is involved in Madoff (involved many clients too) and acted as Allen Stanford's attorney. Investors who lost money in this scams should start looking at the law firm Proskauer's assets for recovery. First, Proskauer partner Gregg Mashberg claims Madoff is a financial 9/11 for their clients, if they directed you to Madoff sue them. Then, Proskauer partner Thomas Sjoblom former enforcement dude for SEC and Allen Stanford attorney, declares PARTY IS OVER to Stanford employees and advises them to PRAY, this two days before SEC hearings. Then at hearings he lies with Holt to SEC saying she only prepared with him but fails to mention Miami meeting at airport hanger. Then Sjoblom resigns after SEC begins investigation and sends note to SEC disaffirming all statements made by he and Proskauer, his butt on fire. If you were burned in Stanford sue Proskauer.
Proskauer Rose and Foley and Lardner are also in a TRILLION dollar FEDERAL LAWSUIT legally related to a WHISTLEBLOWER CASE also in FEDERAL COURT. Marc S. Dreier is also a defendant in the Federal Case.
The Trillion Dollar suit according to Judge Shira Scheindlin is one of PATENT THEFT, MURDER AND A CAR BOMBING. For graphics on the car bombing visit www.iviewit.tv.
The Federal Court cases
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit Docket 08-4873-cv - Bernstein, et al. v Appellate Division First Department Disciplinary Committee, et al. - TRILLION DOLLAR LAWSUIT
Cases @ US District Court - Southern District NY
(07cv09599) Anderson v The State of New York, et al. - WHISTLEBLOWER LAWSUIT
(07cv11196) Bernstein, et al. v Appellate Division First Department Disciplinary Committee, et al.
(07cv11612) Esposito v The State of New York, et al.,
(08cv00526) Capogrosso v New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct, et al.,
(08cv02391) McKeown v The State of New York, et al.,
(08cv02852) Galison v The State of New York, et al.,
(08cv03305) Carvel v The State of New York, et al., and,
(08cv4053) Gizella Weisshaus v The State of New York, et al.
(08cv4438) Suzanne McCormick v The State of New York, et al.
Way to go Harry! I hope law enforcement in the U.S. and Europe go over your info with a fine tooth comb and nail all these crooks/cheats/market manipulators. The corruption runs deep and may their progress not be impeded by those in power trying to conceal the truth. All honest hard working human beings that invest in the world's markets owe you a big thank you and are indebted to you for your bravery in coming forth amongst this den of vipers. Great job!
One other hedgefund scam you may know of already is the N.I.R. Group headed by Corey Ribotsky a notorious naked short seller and private placement dealer. 6B fund as of last year.
ok
Pictet & Cie.- claim they are the “Rolls Royce”of swiss banks.
Swiss Banks or more correctly Swizz banks.
Swizz. ---- “ a great disappointment.” or a “ fraud.”
Fraud. ---“ an intentional deception or dishonesty.”— “a crime.”
Crime. ---“ an act committed or omitted in violation of a law.”
Serious Crimes .
Conspiring to pervert the Course of Justice.
Perverting the Course of Justice.
Contempt of Court.
The Establishment “ Cover up crimes”.
The ‘Doyens’ of the esta
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!