Allan Goldstein, a 76-year-old veteran of the Korean War, and his wife Ruth had invested in Madoff's firm since 1997. In a letter to Judge Chin, he described himself as destitute.
"I had two other investment counselors but Madoff outperformed them every year (so I thought), and I moved all my money (it was an IRA) to Madoff. I am now destitute. We had to sell our home in upstate New York at a very reduced price to avoid foreclosure. We are now living in one room in my daughter's house in California. I cannot pay my long term health insurance. I had to give up my car, and we are applying for food stamps.
"Our lives are a nightmare. My wife is suffering emotional problems because of this tragedy. Mr. Madoff has committed a crime against humanity considering all the lives he has wrecked along with charities he destroyed. He should be made to pay for his wicked deeds."
NEXT: Patty Brown: Madoff cheated her family
"I had two other investment counselors but Madoff outperformed them every year (so I thought), and I moved all my money (it was an IRA) to Madoff. I am now destitute. We had to sell our home in upstate New York at a very reduced price to avoid foreclosure. We are now living in one room in my daughter's house in California. I cannot pay my long term health insurance. I had to give up my car, and we are applying for food stamps.
"Our lives are a nightmare. My wife is suffering emotional problems because of this tragedy. Mr. Madoff has committed a crime against humanity considering all the lives he has wrecked along with charities he destroyed. He should be made to pay for his wicked deeds."
NEXT: Patty Brown: Madoff cheated her family