Lawyer urges 12 year prison term for Madoff

A lawyer for Bernard Madoff has told the judge who will sentence the disgraced financier that a prison term of 12 years would be fair.

A lawyer for Bernard Madoff has told the judge who will sentence the disgraced financier that a prison term of 12 years would be fair.

HT Image

Attorney Ira Sorkin says such a sentence will not disproportionately punish his client compared to other white-collar criminals.

Federal Judge Denny Chin is scheduled to sentence Madoff next Monday.

The 71-year-old Madoff pleaded guilty on March 12 to 11 felony counts. He admitted operating a massive pyramid scheme. He faces up to 150 years in prison.

Dozens of Madoff's victims have already urged the judge to make sure Madoff spends the rest of his life in prison.