Madoff’s wings now available for rent
Tags: Bernie Madoff, Edward Blumenfeld, Embraer, Gary Lewi, Palm Beach International Airport, Ponzi
| Friday 16 January 2009 11:18 pm
Swanky homes are on the market. Fine men’s jackets await buyers in consignment stores. And beautiful art is up for sale in auction houses.
All, the product of lifestyle changes for Bernie Madoff investors.
An Embraer Legacy similar to Bernie Madoff's
Now this news may provide a little balm to victims of his alleged $50 billion Ponzi scheme: Madoff’s been reduced to chartering out his prized private jet.
No word on the hourly rate for the black-and-grey Embraer Legacy with the letters BM on its tail.
But I’m told the Brazilian-made machine is loaded with extras, including an Italian copper espresso machine.
Madoff reportedly paid half of the Embraer’s $24 million price tag in the spring of 2008, never mind that the slumping economy was about to accelerate his fall from grace.
The other half-owner is Madoff’s friend, New York real estate developer Ed Blumenfeld. He and wife, Susan, who is Madoff’s interior designer, are Boca Raton residents.
A source in the local aviation business says Blumenfeld, who recently admitted that he, too, was a Madoff victim, has been pondering what to do with the plane.
He expects the federal government to sell Madoff’s half and reimburse some jilted investors.
But for the moment, the jet is “being chartered out to cover its costs,” according to Blumenfeld’s publicist, Gary Lewi.
“There is no comment about the Madoff portion of the aircraft or its disposition,” Lewi added.
Even with Madoff under house arrest, the aviation source said, several of his family members flew the Embraer to Palm Beach International Airport during the holiday season. They spent several days at Madoff’s Palm Beach mansion.
What a joke. Why isn’t this joker in a jail cell?
Why not make Madoff clean the plane after each charter. Maybe in a French Maids outfit as he will eventually be someones bitch in jail….
He’ll be in a country club prison with hot and cold running maids. No chance he’ll do hard time.
why does Florida protect these peole?
Madoof isnt the only one . You have a resident in the A1A Earl Jones who duped a Tv station out of 1,5 million.
This POS guy should be in jail, not taking a vacation in one of his $$$$$$$$ homes. Go steal $300 worth of food and medicine that you really need and see how long you sit in jail for it.
We are so off course in how we handle criminals and obviously the rich and famous get wholly different treatment (Paris and Lindsay ring a bell?). It is so very wrong and yet “we the people” just watch and let it go on with our voices silent.
Shame on them but also shame on us for letting it happen. You may say it is out of our hands but we are a democracy, we have just forgotten how to throw out the idiots that we elect that do allow it.
What will be the next total disregard for our system? Methinks a blanket pardon from the outgoing President that makes history will be next, not much time left to do it and it may make the new inauguration the 2nd biggest news story of the month.
I am not holding my breath for any semblance of honor on this one!
Peace …
Jeez - did everyone skip American Legal and Constitutional Concepts in HS? Madoff has not been convicted of anything yet. Bail is intended to ensure that the defendant appears for proceedings in the criminal prosecution - which, oh-by-the way, has only begun. Everywhere I turn I see people expecting punishment to be meted out before conviction - and I’m appalled.
I cant believe how this criminal is being protected!!!!! in other states when your investment company is found to conduct fraudulent activities the bail is the total amount of the fraud… so why are new york judges allowing this clown to be at home and eat his fancy meals!!! this is a horrific tragedy for everyone that invested, specially anyone over 70 years old… this is the results of all the investment crooks around the country that get away and simply get a couple of years in the fed pen…..
To all those greedy poor rich people who lost millions off an investment(s) that was too good to be true (should have been tour first sign) WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD!!!!!! Stop your sniffling,learn from your mistake, cut back, be thankful that you have a roof over your head and food to feed your family and move on!!!!
While I was Front Office Mgr, at the Helmsley Park Lane, Bernie was one of my clients I took personal care of, he was always a gentleman. Not like others guests whom looked down on the staff, as servants.
Boca Waterfront…
Good job narrowing down all the information….