What exactly did Bernie Madoff's lawyer, Ira Sorkin, actually do?
Madoff turned himself in. Sorkin didn't try Madoff's case. Sorking didn't prepare for trial; sort through boxes; have armies of associates write motions and writs; prepare witnesses; hire priviate investigators; and, for good measure, pad bills.
Sorkin had to fight to keep Madoff out on bond. How many hours of work does that require?
The latest news is that Madoff is not going to appeal his 150-year sentence. Story here. This means Sorkin won't have to write any appellate briefs. Unless Madoff starts filing prisoner Section 1983 suits, Sorkin's work is done. Thus, now is the time to start asking questions.
It's time for an audit. So far as I can tell, Sorkin got paid with money that belonged to victims of Madoff's Ponzi scheme. After all, what money did Bernie Madoff have that wasn't tainted by his fraud? How much work did Sorkin actually do? How many millions was Sorkin paid? How many of these millions should be returned to Madoff's victims?
No one is asking any of these questions. Why not? Is there some sort of buddy-buddy arrangement that Sorkin has with the trial judge or prosecutor? I'm far away from New York; so maybe I am missing something obvious. Perhaps Sorkin has an "in" with everyone.
I did some Googling and did not see, as is usually the case, any evidence that the prosecutor tried preventing Sorking from getting paid. If so, that would be highly unusual. Whenever a defendant is charged with a crime, prosecutors freeze assets. Prosecutors, as a matter of strategy, try preventing rich defendants like Madoff from spending money on lawyers.
Unless I'm obvlivious to something obvious: Something funny is going on.
Does anyone know?
