U.S. Marshals seeks brokers for 3 Madoff homes
Agency accepting bids from realtors to become listing agents for swindler's properties in New York and Florida.
NEW YORK (CNN) -- The U.S. Marshals Service is asking real estate agents to put in bids to be the listing agents for three properties owned by convicted swindler Bernard Madoff.
The properties are in New York City; Montauk, N.Y., on the eastern end of Long Island; and Palm Beach in southern Florida, the Marshals Service said in a news release Friday.
The action is "outside the norm because of the magnitude of the case," said Marshals Service spokesman Barry Golden.
The total value of the three properties is in excess of $12 million, he said.
The Marshals Service's new release says it is trying to get the maximum return on the properties to benefit Madoff's victims, and is seeking "the most qualified real estate brokers in each market location."
The service is working in conjunction with its national contractor, LPS Asset Management Solutions Inc., which helps it manage and dispose of forfeited properties seized by federal law enforcement agencies, according to the release.
Brokers are directed to www.usmarshals.gov/madoff or www.lps-am.comat for details and requirements on submitting their proposals.