Admitting to operating the largest Ponzi scheme in history, 70-year-old Bernard Madoff was immediately jailed after entering a guilty plea to 11 criminal charges today. He awaits his sentencing, scheduled for June 16.
Counts against Madoff (source: Associated Press):
Count 1: Securities fraud. Maximum penalty: 20 years in prison; fine of the greatest of $5 million or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense; restitution.
Count 2: Investment adviser fraud. Maximum penalty: Five years in prison, fine and restitution.
Count 3: Mail fraud. Maximum penalty: 20 years in prison, fine and restitution.
Count 4: Wire fraud. Maximum penalty: 20 years in prison, fine and restitution.
Count 5: International money laundering, related to transfer of funds between New York-based brokerage operation and London trading desk. Maximum penalty: 20 years in prison, fine and restitution.
Count 6: International money laundering. Maximum penalty: 20 years in prison, fine and restitution.
Count 7: Money laundering. Maximum penalty: 10 years in prison, fine and restitution.
Count 8: False statements. Maximum penalty: Five years in prison, fine and restitution.
Count 9: Perjury. Maximum penalty: Five years in prison, fine and restitution.
Count 10: Making a false filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Maximum Penalty: 20 years in prison, fine and restitution.
Count 11: Theft from an employee benefit plan, for failing to invest pension fund assets on behalf of about 35 labor union pension plans. Maximum penalty: Five years in prison, fine and restitution.