Speaking for Ruth Madoff yesterday, her lawyer read a
statement issued by Mrs. Madoff.
In the statement, Ruth
expressed distress over the situation, insisting the man she has been married to for 49 years is not the Madoff she "knew." She also
said she was embarrassed and ashamed by her husband's behaviour.
Ruth initially tried to
keep assets worth millions of dollars, but agreed to give up $85 million in assets to keep $2.5 million in cash.
While she has been left better off than those who lost their life savings to her husband’s scheme, she may still face
claims from other authorities and could be sued by investors.
Ruth has faced criticism for her seeming indifference. She definitely is not receiving much sympathy from the public, and is said to be having difficulty finding a new place to live.
It has also been
reported that her hair dresser has told her not to come back, and the management of restaurants where she and Bernard once dined are saying they will show her the door if she shows up.
Ruth is reported to have had a very close relationship with her husband, and this is the basis for much antipathy expressed against her.
Massachusetts regulators
allege Ruth withdrew $15.5 million (U.S.) from company accounts just before her husband confessed, which has also given her a few black marks. In many circles she is accused of having known about her husband's activities.
