Investigation Discovery Dissects Bernie Madoff Fallout

Investigation Discovery is taking an in-depth look at the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme in the premiere episode of a recurring series entitled, “ID Investigates.”

“Launching a high-quality, in-depth documentary strand exemplifies Investigation Discovery’s commitment to investigating a fascinating spectrum of stories focused on the pursuit of justice and dedicated to providing context and depth to the stories dominating the headlines,” said Henry Schleiff, president and general manager of Investigation Discovery. “ID INVESTIGATES: THE MADOFF MYSTERY examines more than the greed and deception of Madoff’s fraud by exploring the dire human consequences of Madoff’s crimes, beyond the financial ruin.”

From his headquarters in New York, arch-fraudster Bernard Madoff masterminded the largest financial scam in history. The scheme netted billions of dollars and ensnared thousands from Palm Beach billionaires and Hollywood movie stars to children’s charities and senior citizens across the world. Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in prison, where he will languish until the end of his days. But for his victims there’s no respite; many of them were left penniless, their lives decimated by Madoff’s house of cards. ID INVESTIGATES: THE MADOFF MYSTERY explores the riches to rags stories of everyday people like Ian Thiermann, a 90-year-old retiree forced to work at a local grocery store to make ends meet; and Laurel and Paul Allen, who just a week prior to the collapse were personally reassured by Madoff to not withdraw funds. And, in a heartbreaking case, Willard Foxton recounts how his family paid the ultimate price for Madoff’s greed Foxton’s father committed suicide after losing his life savings in Madoff’s con. This special exposes how easy it was for Madoff to lull intelligent, financially savvy investors into the scam by displaying plausible profits and never promising clients too much. These stories humanize the perception of white-collar crime, taking viewers beyond the balance sheets and investment fraud to the family tragedies caused by insatiable greed.

Broadcast journalist and former CBS anchor Thalia Assuras serves as host and narrator for this inaugural special. ID INVESTIGATES: THE MADOFF MYSTERY, produced in partnership with the BBC, premieres on Tuesday, December 8 from 9-10 PM ET on Investigation Discovery.

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