ByThePeople.org Names Scoundrel

of the Year for 2008

The Editorial Board of ByThePeople.org has named Bernard Madoff Investments, and its CEO Bernard Madoff, Scoundrel of the year 2008.  A respected man amongst the investment Community for more than fifty years, Bernard Madoff, ex-Chairman of NASDAQ, earned this dubious honor by defrauding investors in a global Ponzi scheme that has reportedly cost individuals, Charity Organizations, Hedge Funds, and private individuals $50 B USD.

Why was Madoff selected as Scoundrel of the Year?

One by one, the students in Rabbi Norman Linzer’s  Jewish social philosophy class at Yeshiva University wrestled with the headlines and their emotions concerning Bernard Madoff in the past few weeks.  Here he was, one of their own, having deceived scores of people, lost billions of dollars entrusted to him, and having ruined many lives. Were Bernie Madoff’s actions sins,  did it mattered that he was Jewish, was he redeemable, will atonement for this hideous crime be enough? Those were the questions being wrestled by many, including some of Mr. Madoff's victims. Read More...