This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-33798595

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Madoff fraud saga sees last defendant jailed Madoff fraud saga sees last defendant jailed
(about 11 hours later)
The final defendant in the $68bn (£44bn) Bernard Madoff fraud case has been jailed.The final defendant in the $68bn (£44bn) Bernard Madoff fraud case has been jailed.
Irwin Lipkin, 77, pleaded guilty of helping to hide the fraud from US regulators by falsifying documents.Irwin Lipkin, 77, pleaded guilty of helping to hide the fraud from US regulators by falsifying documents.
His sentence marks the end of a six-year prosecution saga. His six-month sentence marks the end of a six-year prosecution saga.
A total of 15 people have been convicted for their parts in the Ponzi - pyramid - scheme orchestrated by Madoff that defrauded investors out of billions of dollars.A total of 15 people have been convicted for their parts in the Ponzi - pyramid - scheme orchestrated by Madoff that defrauded investors out of billions of dollars.
Madoff's fraud emerged in 2008. What was thought to be a fund worth $68bn turned out to be all but worthless having been paid as fake profit or stolen by Madoff and his associates.Madoff's fraud emerged in 2008. What was thought to be a fund worth $68bn turned out to be all but worthless having been paid as fake profit or stolen by Madoff and his associates.
Madoff pleaded guilty to fraud and was sentenced to 150 years in prison.Madoff pleaded guilty to fraud and was sentenced to 150 years in prison.
The judge rejected the defence case that Lipkin should not be jailed because of his failing health, and that he did not know the full extent of Madoff's scheme.The judge rejected the defence case that Lipkin should not be jailed because of his failing health, and that he did not know the full extent of Madoff's scheme.
Prosecutor David Abramowicz told the court in New York: Madoff "didn't do it alone because he couldn't do it alone. He needed the help of people like Mr Lipkin." Prosecutor David Abramowicz told the court in New York: Madoff "didn't do it alone because he couldn't do it alone. He needed the help of people like Mr Lipkin".
Lipkin was hired as one of Madoff's first employees in the 1960s.Lipkin was hired as one of Madoff's first employees in the 1960s.
He apologised to the court, "and to everybody else who may have been hurt by the things that I've done".He apologised to the court, "and to everybody else who may have been hurt by the things that I've done".