Some query symbolism of Madoff sentence

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The 150-year sentence meted out to Bernard Madoff surprised some legal experts, who say it far exceeds the punishments handed down to other big-time corporate scoundrels and may not send the intended message to other would-be crooks. The sentence handed down on Monday was six times longer than the 25-year and 24-year prison terms being served by former Chief Executives Bernie Ebbers of WorldCom Inc and Jeffrey Skilling of Enron. At an emotional hearing in Manhattan federal court on Monday, Judge Denny Chin said the symbolism of any sentence above 20 or 25 years, effectively life for the 71-year-old Madoff, was important. "The judge could have accomplished the same result, a life sentence, by... [read full story]                    

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