10 YEAR LOOK BACK
RECOVERY STATUS TO DATE all amounts approximate
RECOVERIES AND SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS
$14.709 Billion

CUSTOMER FUND, including required reserves
$797.7 Million

AMOUNT DISTRIBUTED FROM CUSTOMER FUND
$13.911 Billion

SIPC COMMITTED FUNDS SUBJECT TO SUBROGATION*
$592.2 Million

AMOUNT UNAVAILABLE DUE TO SETTLEMENT RESERVES
$459.2 Thousand

A MESSAGE FROM THE SIPA TRUSTEE AND HIS CHIEF COUNSEL
FEATURED MEDIA
INFORMATIONAL GRAPHICS all amounts approximate
Building the Customer Fund
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Recoveries &
Settlements
$14.709 Billion
as of November 22, 2024

Customer Fund Status
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Distributions from
Customer Fund
$13.911 Billion
as of November 22, 2024

Total Recoveries by Year
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LATEST NEWS
TIMELINE
  • Icon: Bankruptcy 2
    2024
    DEC 11
    SIPA Trustee requests Court approval to allocate more than $101 million to Customer Fund and to distribute more than $35 million to BLMIS customers with allowed claims for 16th pro rata interim distribution.
  • Icon: Arrow-Out-Box
    2024
    FEB 23
    The fifteenth pro rata interim distribution of recoveries commences, which is approximately 0.419 percent of the allowed claims amount of each individual account, unless already fully satisfied.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy 2
    2024
    JAN 23
    The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York Approves an Allocation of New Recoveries to the BLMIS Customer Fund and Authorizes a Fifteenth Pro Rata Interim Distribution to BLMIS Customers with Allowed Claims.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy
    2023
    DEC 8
    SIPA Trustee requests Court approval to allocate more than $66 million to Customer Fund and to distribute more than $45 million to BLMIS customers with allowed claims for 15th pro rata interim distribution.
  • Icon: Arrow-Out-Box
    2023
    FEB 24
    The fourteenth pro rata interim distribution of recoveries commences, which is approximately 0.265 percent of the allowed claims amount of each individual account, unless already fully satisfied.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy 2
    2023
    JAN 10
    The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York Approves an Allocation of New Recoveries to the BLMIS Customer Fund and Authorizes a Fourteenth Pro Rata Interim Distribution to BLMIS Customers with Allowed Claims.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy
    2022
    DEC 9
    SIPA Trustee requests Court approval to allocate more than $44 million to Customer Fund and to distribute more than $33 million to BLMIS customers with allowed claims for 14th pro rata interim distribution.
  • Icon: Arrow-Out-Box
    2022
    FEB 25
    The thirteenth pro rata interim distribution of recoveries commences, which is approximately 0.604 percent of the allowed claims amount of each individual account, unless already fully satisfied.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy 2
    2022
    JAN 11
    The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York Approves an Allocation of New Recoveries to the BLMIS Customer Fund and Authorizes a Thirteenth Pro Rata Interim Distribution to BLMIS Customers with Allowed Claims.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy
    2021
    DEC 10
    SIPA Trustee requests Court approval to allocate more than $128 million to Customer Fund and to distribute more than $85 million to BLMIS customers with allowed claims for 13th pro rata interim distribution.
  • Icon: Arrow-Out-Box
    2021
    FEB 26
    The twelfth pro rata interim distribution of recoveries commences, which is approximately 1.240 percent of the allowed claims amount of each individual account, unless already fully satisfied.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy 2
    2021
    JAN 19
    The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York Approves an Allocation of New Recoveries to the BLMIS Customer Fund and Authorizes a Twelfth Pro Rata Interim Distribution to BLMIS Customers with Allowed Claims
  • Icon: Bankruptcy
    2020
    DEC 9
    SIPA Trustee requests Court approval to allocate more than $74 million to Customer Fund and to distribute more than $190 million to BLMIS customers with allowed claims for 12th pro rata interim distribution.
  • Icon: Supreme Court
    2020
    JUN 1
    The U.S. Supreme Court denies a petition for certiorari that sought review of a 2019 Second Circuit ruling allowing the SIPA Trustee to recover funds stolen by Madoff and subsequently transferred overseas.
  • Icon: Arrow-Out-Box
    2020
    FEB 28
    The eleventh pro rata interim distribution of recoveries commences, which is approximately 1.975 percent of the allowed claims amount of each individual account, unless already fully satisfied.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy 2
    2020
    JAN 8
    The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York Approves an Allocation of New Recoveries to the BLMIS Customer Fund and Authorizes an Eleventh Pro Rata Interim Distribution to BLMIS Customers with Allowed Claims.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy
    2019
    DEC 18
    SIPA Trustee requests Court approval to allocate more than $988 billion to Customer Fund and to distribute more than $332 million to BLMIS customers with allowed claims for 11th pro rata interim distribution.
  • Icon: Arrow-In-Box
    2019
    AUG 6
    The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York approved an $860 million settlement agreement between the SIPA Trustee and Kingate Global Fund, Ltd. and Kingate Euro Fund, Ltd.
  • Icon: Court of Appeals
    2019
    FEB 25
    The U.S Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit reversed two rulings by the lower courts related to extraterritoriality and international comity, enabling the SIPA Trustee to recover funds stolen by Madoff and subsequently transferred overseas.
  • Icon: Arrow-Out-Box
    2019
    FEB 22
    The tenth pro rata interim distribution of recoveries commences, which is approximately 2.729 percent of the allowed claims amount of each individual account, unless already fully satisfied.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy 2
    2019
    JAN 22
    The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York Approves an Allocation of New Recoveries to the BLMIS Customer Fund and Authorizes a Tenth Pro Rata Interim Distribution to BLMIS Customers with Allowed Claims.
  • Icon: 10 Year
    2018
    DEC 11
    Madoff Recovery Initiative marks 10-year anniversary; more than $13.3 billion recovered to date, making it the most successful Ponzi scheme recovery in history in terms of dollar value and percentage of stolen funds recovered.
  • Icon: Arrow-In-Box
    2018
    JUL 5
    The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York approved a $281 million settlement agreement between the SIPA Trustee and Ascot Partners, Ascot Fund, J. Ezra Merkin, and Gabriel Capital.
  • Icon: Arrow-In-Box
    2018
    MAR 27
    The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York approved a $76.45 million settlement agreement between the SIPA Trustee and Alpha Prime Fund Ltd.
  • Icon: Arrow-Out-Box
    2018
    FEB 22
    The ninth pro rata interim distribution of recoveries commences, which is approximately 3.806 percent of the allowed claims amount of each individual account, unless already fully satisfied.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy 2
    2018
    JAN 30
    The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York Approves an Allocation of New Recoveries to the BLMIS Customer Fund and Authorizes an Ninth Pro Rata Interim Distribution to BLMIS Customers with Allowed Claims.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy
    2017
    DEC 18
    SIPA Trustee requests Court approval to allocate $1.3 billion to Customer Fund and to distribute $584 million to BLMIS customers with allowed claims for 9th pro rata interim distribution.
  • Icon: Arrow-In-Box
    2017
    OCT 19
    The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York approved a $687 million settlement agreement between the SIPA Trustee and Thema International Fund plc.
  • Icon: Arrow-In-Box
    2017
    JUL 24
    The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York approved a $240 million settlement agreement between the SIPA Trustee and Lagoon Investment Ltd and Hermes International Fund Ltd.
  • Icon: Arrow-In-Box
    2017
    JUL 24
    The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York approved a $130 million settlement agreement between the SIPA Trustee and Thema Wise Investments Ltd and Thema Fund Ltd.
  • Icon: Arrow-In-Box
    2017
    JUL 24
    The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York approved a $23 million settlement agreement between the SIPA Trustee and the Madoff family estates.
  • Icon: Arrow-Out-Box
    2017
    FEB 2
    The eighth pro rata interim distribution of recoveries commences, which is approximately 1.729 percent of the allowed claims amount of each individual account, unless already fully satisfied.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy 2
    2017
    JAN 12
    The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York Approves an Allocation of New Recoveries to the BLMIS Customer Fund and Authorizes an Eighth Pro Rata Interim Distribution to BLMIS Customers with Allowed Claims.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy
    2016
    DEC 14
    SIPA Trustee Requests Court Approval to Allocate $342 million to Customer Fund and to Distribute $252 million to BLMIS Customers with Allowed Claims for 8th Distribution
  • Icon: Arrow-In-Box
    2016
    NOV 29
    The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York approved a $32 million settlement agreement between the SIPA Trustee and Cohmad Securities Corporation, the Estate of Maurice “Sonny” Cohn, Marcia B. Cohn and Marilyn Cohn.
  • Icon: Arrow-In-Box
    2016
    NOV 18
    The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York approved a global settlement – made in cooperation with the California Attorney General – with the defendants in Picard v. the Estate of Stanley Chais, et al.
  • Icon: Arrow-Out-Box
    2016
    JUN 30
    The seventh pro rata interim distribution of recoveries commences, which is approximately 1.305 percent of the allowed claims amount of each individual account, unless already fully satisfied.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy 2
    2016
    JUN 15
    The U.S. Bankruptcy Court approves the SIPA Trustee’s motion for a seventh pro rata interim distribution of 1.173 percent.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy
    2016
    MAY 26
    SIPA Trustee files motion seeking approval for an allocation to the Customer Fund and a seventh pro rata interim distribution.
  • Icon: Arrow-In-Box
    2016
    APR 26
    The U.S. Bankruptcy Court approves the recovery agreement with Dorado Investment Company, et al. that will benefit the BLMIS Customer Fund by approximately $30 million.
  • Icon: Arrow-In-Box
    2016
    JAN 26
    The U.S. Bankruptcy Court approves the recovery agreement with Vizcaya Partners Limited, Asphalia Fund Limited, and Zeus Partners Limited. The settlement will benefit the BLMIS Customer Fund by approximately $25 million.
  • Icon: Arrow-Out-Box
    2015
    DEC 4
    The sixth pro rata interim distribution of recoveries commences, which is approximately 8.262 percent of the allowed claims amount of each individual account, unless already fully satisfied.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy 2
    2015
    NOV 18
    U.S. Bankruptcy Court approves the SIPA Trustee’s motion for a sixth interim distribution of approximately $1.5 billion, $1.18 billion to be distributed as soon as order becomes final.
  • Icon: Arrow-In-Box
    2015
    NOV 17
    The U.S. Bankruptcy Court approves the recovery agreement with Thybo Asset Management Limited and Thybo Stable Fund Ltd. that will benefit the BLMIS Customer Fund by more than $46.6 million.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy
    2015
    OCT 23
    The SIPA Trustee announces a recovery agreement with Thybo Asset Management Limited and Thybo Stable Fund Ltd. that will benefit the BLMIS Customer Fund more than $46.6 million.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy
    2015
    OCT 20
    SIPA Trustee files motion seeking approval for an allocation to the Customer Fund and a sixth pro rata interim distribution.
  • Icon: Supreme Court
    2015
    OCT 5
    Supreme Court denies review of time-based damages issue, affirming SIPA Trustee’s position that BLMIS claimants are not entitled to interest or inflation.
  • Icon: Arrow-In-Box
    2015
    JUL 28
    The U.S. Bankruptcy Court approves $140 million recovery agreement for the BLMIS Customer Fund with Plaza Investments International Limited and Notz, Stucki Management (Bermuda) Limited.
  • Icon: Arrow-In-Box
    2015
    JUN 23
    The U.S. Bankruptcy Court approves $35 million recovery agreement between the SIPA Trustee and Ariel Fund Limited and Gabriel Capital, L.P.
  • Icon: Arrow-In-Box
    2015
    APR 16
    The U.S. Bankruptcy Court approves $93 million recovery agreement between the SIPA Trustee and Defender Fund.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy
    2015
    APR 15
    The SIPA Trustee files a motion in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court seeking approval for a sixth pro rata interim distribution from the Customer Fund to BLMIS customers with allowed claims.
  • Icon: Supreme Court
    2015
    MAR 17
    SIPA Trustee files petition for writ of certiorari with the United States Supreme Court seeking review of lower court decisions regarding “safe harbor/stockbroker” defense in Madoff Ponzi scheme.
  • Icon: Court of Appeals
    2015
    FEB 20
    The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upholds the United States Bankruptcy Court decision that claimants in the SIPA liquidation of BLMIS are not entitled to time-based damages.
  • Icon: Arrow-Out-Box
    2015
    FEB 6
    The fifth pro rata interim distribution of recoveries begins, which is approximately 2.743 percent of the allowed claims amount of each individual account, unless already fully satisfied.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy 2
    2015
    JAN 15
    The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York approves the SIPA Trustee’s allocation and distribution motion for a fifth pro rata interim distribution of 2.743 percent.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy
    2014
    DEC 22
    SIPA Trustee files motion seeking approval for an allocation to the Customer Fund and a fifth pro rata interim distribution.
  • Icon: Arrow-In-Box
    2014
    DEC 17
    The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of NY approves the SIPA Trustee’s settlement of $497 million with Herald Fund SPC and Primeo Fund.
  • Icon: Arrow-In-Box
    2014
    DEC 17
    The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of NY approves the SIPA Trustee’s $95 million settlement agreement with Senator Fund SPC.
  • Icon: Arrow-In-Box
    2014
    NOV 19
    The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York approves a recovery agreement of up to $62 million between the Madoff Trustee and Edward Blumenfeld and others.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy
    2014
    MAY 25
    SIPA Trustee files motion seeking approval for an allocation to the Customer Fund and a fourth pro rata interim distribution.
  • Icon: Arrow-Out-Box
    2014
    MAY 5
    The fourth pro rata interim distribution commences; as of February 1, 2016, the fourth pro rata interim distribution totals $468 million.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy 2
    2014
    APR 18
    The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of NY approves the SIPA Trustee’s allocation and distribution motion for a fourth interim distribution of 3.180 percent.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy
    2014
    MAR 25
    SIPA Trustee files motion seeking approval for an allocation to the Customer Fund and a fourth pro rata interim distribution.
  • Icon: Arrow-In-Box
    2014
    FEB 4
    The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York approves settlement agreements with JPMorgan Chase, adding $275 million to the Customer Fund.
  • Icon: Supreme Court
    2013
    OCT 9
    SIPA Trustee files petition for writ of certiorari with the United States Supreme Court seeking review of lower court decisions regarding banks and their liability in the Madoff Ponzi scheme.
  • Icon: Arrow-In-Box
    2013
    SEP 17
    U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York approves $97.8 million settlement with Maxam Absolute Return Fund and other related funds/entities, recovering 100% of the Maxam Defendants’ BLMIS withdrawals.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy 2
    2013
    SEP 10
    The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York approves the SIPA Trustee’s motion to deny time-based damages adjustments to customer claims.
  • Icon: Arrow-Out-Box
    2013
    MAR 29
    The third pro rata interim distribution of recoveries begins, which is approximately 4.721 percent of the allowed claims amount of each individual account.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy 2
    2013
    MAR 13
    The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York approves the SIPA Trustee's allocation and distribution motion for a third pro rata interim distribution of 4.721 percent.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy 2
    2012
    DEC 21
    The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upholds the SIPA Trustee’s $220 million settlement with the Norman F. Levy family. Absent additional appeals, the settlement will be made available for distribution.
  • Icon: Arrow-Out-Box
    2012
    SEP 19
    The second pro rata interim distribution of recoveries begins, which is approximately 33.5 percent of the allowed claims amount of each individual account.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy 2
    2012
    AUG 22
    Bankruptcy Court approves the SIPA Trustee’s motion for allocation and second interim distribution of 33.5 percent of each allowed claim.
  • Icon: Arrow-In-Box
    2012
    JUL 16
    The deadline for further appeals of the $7.2 billion Picower forfeiture to the United States Government expires, making the forfeiture order final, and the $5 billion settlement payment is released to the SIPA Trustee.
  • Icon: Supreme Court
    2012
    JUN 25
    United States Supreme Court denies petitions for certiorari, thereby upholding net equity methodology in BLMIS liquidation.
  • Icon: District
    2012
    MAR 26
    The U.S. District Court upholds the Bankruptcy Court’s approval of the $5 billion settlement with the estate of Jeffry Picower and also upholds the injunction barring claims against the Picower estate by third parties.
  • Icon: Arrow-In-Box
    2012
    MAR 19
    A $162 million settlement agreement is reached with Sterling Equities. The settlement sum is equal to 100 percent of the fictitious profits withdrawn by the Sterling parties during the six-year period prior to the BLMIS liquidation proceeding.
  • Icon: Arrow-In-Box
    2011
    DEC 21
    A $326 million settlement with the United States of America, on behalf of the Internal Revenue Service, was approved by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.
  • Icon: Arrow-Out-Box
    2011
    OCT 5
    The first pro rata interim distribution to BLMIS customers whose claims have been allowed by the Trustee commences.
  • Icon: Arrow-In-Box
    2011
    OCT 4
    The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York approved a settlement with Mount Capital Fund, a BLMIS Feeder Fund, which returned $43.5 million to the Customer Fund.
  • Icon: Court of Appeals
    2011
    AUG 16
    The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upholds the Trustee’s definition of net equity as applied to the Madoff Ponzi fraud, an important step forward for customers with allowed claims.
  • Icon: Arrow-In-Box
    2011
    JUL 28
    The settlement with the Tremont Group, the second-largest Madoff feeder fund network, increases the Customer Fund by $1.025 billion and facilitates future recoveries for feeder fund investors.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy 2
    2011
    JUL 12
    The Bankruptcy Court approves the SIPA Trustee's motion for an initial pro rata interim distribution of 4.602 percent.
  • Icon: District
    2011
    JUN 24
    An amended complaint filed against JPMC expands allegations, seeks a jury trial and increases minimum damages sought to at least $19 billion in addition to approximately $1 billion in fraudulent transfers and other claims.
  • Icon: Arrow-In-Box
    2011
    MAY 9
    A settlement with Fairfield Sentry effectively increases future Customer Fund payments by nearly $1 billion and strengthens claims against the owners and management of the Fairfield Funds and hundreds of subsequent transferees.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy
    2011
    MAY 4
    The SIPA Trustee files a motion for the allocation of $2.6 billion to the Customer Fund and for the initial, pro rata, interim distribution of $272 million.
  • Icon: Arrow-In-Box
    2010
    DEC 17
    A $7.2 billion settlement agreement is reached with the estate of Jeffry Picower; $5 billion is allotted to the Customer Fund and $2.2 billion to the government as forfeiture. The $5 billion for the Customer Fund is under appeal.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy
    2010
    DEC 10
    A RICO complaint is filed against the Medici Enterprise defendants, including Sonja Kohn, Bank Medici and related entities, including UniCredit and Bank Austria. The action seeks to recover $19.6 billion in damages (trebled under RICO).
  • Icon: Arrow-In-Box
    2010
    DEC 7
    The SIPA Trustee announces a $550 million recovery agreement with the family of Carl Shapiro. The recovery is appealed and the $550 million is held in escrow, pending a ruling on the appeal.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy
    2010
    DEC 2
    The SIPA Trustee and his counsel file a lawsuit against JP Morgan Chase, Madoff’s primary banker, and related entities, seeking more than $6.5 billion in fees, profits, avoidable transfers, and damages.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy
    2010
    NOV 26
    The SIPA Trustee and his counsel file 40 lawsuits against relatives of Madoff and his wife, as well as former BLMIS employees and their relatives, seeking to recover approximately $69 million in fraudulent transfers.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy
    2010
    NOV 24
    The SIPA Trustee and his counsel file a lawsuit against UBS AG and related entities alleging 23 counts of financial fraud and misconduct in both common law and bankruptcy causes of action, seeking the recovery of at least $2 billion.
  • Icon: Arrow-In-Box
    2010
    AUG 3
    Vizcaya Partners is ordered to pay back $180 million it withdrew from BLMIS in the five months before the fraud came to light. Approximately $73 million deposited in Gibraltar is requested returned to the United States to help satisfy the judgment.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy 2
    2010
    MAR 1
    The Honorable Judge Burton R. Lifland of the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York upholds the SIPA Trustee’s “net equity” methodology for determining eligibility for distributions from the Customer Fund.
  • Icon: Handshake
    2010
    JAN 27
    The Trustee announces a $220 million agreement with Jeanne Levy-Church and Francis N. Levy, returning that amount of money to the Customer Fund.
  • Icon: Airplane
    2009
    NOV 13
    To avoid devaluation of a major asset (an Embraer Legacy 600), Chapter 11 proceedings begin to secure full ownership of the BLMIS-owned BLM Air Charter LLC.
  • Icon: Safe
    2009
    OCT 28
    The total amount of SIPC advances exceeds the half-billion-dollar mark. This amount now exceeds the total of all prior SIPC advances made since SIPA was passed by Congress in 1970.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy
    2009
    OCT 2
    A lawsuit is filed against four Madoff family members seeking to recover approximately $200 million in customer funds allegedly diverted to the family members or spent on their behalf.
  • Icon: Arrow-Out-Box
    2009
    AUG 5
    In an effort to speed the delivery of funds to BLMIS victims, SIPC agrees to pay the undisputed portion of a claim (up to $500,000) even if the customer has objected to the SIPA Trustee’s determination of the claim.
  • Icon: Ruth Madoff
    2009
    JUL 29
    The Trustee files a lawsuit against Ruth Madoff, the wife of Bernard L. Madoff, seeking to recapture approximately $45 million in funds transferred to her or to companies in which she was an investor.
  • Icon: Alarm Clock
    2009
    JUL 2
    The period allowed for submitting claims closes.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy
    2009
    JUN 22
    Complaints are filed against Cohmad Securities Corporation seeking to recover more than $100 million in fees paid by BLMIS to the alleged feeder fund that helped channel billions of dollars and more than a thousand customers to Madoff.
  • Icon: Keys
    2009
    JUN 9
    The Honorable Judge Burton R. Lifland of the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York orders the substantive consolidation of the Estate of Bernard L. Madoff into the SIPA Proceeding of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC.
  • Icon: Arrow-In-Box
    2009
    MAY 26
    Optimal Investment Services SA agrees to settle lawsuits brought by the Trustee and pays $235 million to the Customer Fund.
  • Icon: Bankruptcy
    2009
    MAY 18
    The SIPA Trustee files a lawsuit seeking the return of $3.2 billion from Fairfield Greenwich Group, one of the largest alleged “feeder funds.”
  • Icon: Bankruptcy
    2009
    APR 28
    Castor Pollux Securities wins the Court-approved auction of the BLMIS market-making business assets for $1 million at closing and up to $24.5 million in deferred compensation through December 2013.
  • Icon: Postmark
    2009
    JAN 2
    More than 8,000 claims forms are mailed to victims of the fraud, with instructions for filing by initial deadlines of March 4, 2009 and July 2, 2009; claims forms are also available for download from the Internet.
  • Icon: News
    2009
    JAN 2
    The Trustee publishes notices in major newspapers to victims and creditors regarding the liquidation of BLMIS.
  • Icon: Arrow-In-Box
    2008
    DEC 20
    Less than one month after the discovery of the BLMIS fraud, the SIPA Trustee and his counsel announce the recovery of $29 million from the Bank of New York, the first of the funds stolen through the Ponzi scheme that are recovered.
  • Icon: Irving Picard
    2008
    DEC 15
    The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York appoints Irving H. Picard as SIPA Trustee for the liquidation of the Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities brokerage firm and appoints Baker & Hostetler LLP as counsel to Mr. Picard.
  • Icon: Bernie
    2008
    DEC 11
    Bernard Madoff is arrested by the FBI and criminally charged with a multi-billion-dollar securities fraud scheme.
  • Icon: District
    2008
    DEC 11
    The SEC files a complaint in the District Court against defendants Madoff and Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC (“BLMIS”) alleging that the defendants engaged in fraud through investment advisor activities.