U.S. Department
of Justice
United States V. Enrica Cotellessa-Pitz, S5 10 Cr. 228 (LTS)
A conference in United States v. Enrica Cotellessa-Pitz, S5 10 Cr. 228 (LTS), is scheduled before the Honorable Laura Taylor Swain on Monday, December 19, 2011 at 2:45 PM in United States District Court, Courtroom 11C, 500 Pearl Street, New York, New York. The parties anticipate that Cotellessa-Pitz will plead guilty pursuant to a cooperation agreement with the Government. A description of the anticipated charges and maximum penalties is attached to the Government's December 15, 2011 letter to the Court below.
Prior Proceedings
On December 11, 2008, Bernard L. Madoff was arrested on a criminal complaint alleging one count of securities fraud. On December 11, 2008, the Securities and Exchange Commission brought a civil action against Mr. Madoff, and filed a motion to freeze certain assets and to appoint a receiver. On December 12, 2008, U.S. District Judge Louis L. Stanton entered an order: (1) appointing a receiver over Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC, Madoff Securities International Ltd., and Madoff Ltd.; and (2) freezing certain corporate and personal assets. On December 15, 2008, a trustee (Irving H. Picard, Esq.) was appointed for the liquidation of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC, pursuant to the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970. The court-appointed trustee has posted information about its activities at www.madoff.com and www.sipc.org. Investors and/or victims should consult those websites for additional information.
Information for Investors
Investors are requested to gather any documents that they have concerning their investments with Mr. Madoff and his companies, and to regularly check this website, the receiver's website, the trustee's website, and the SEC website (www.sec.gov) for information about developments in this investigation and further instructions on how to provide information to the pertinent authorities. In addition, the FBI has set up a hot line number, (212) 384-2359, for victims to call and leave their contact information. We know that investors are anxious to learn whatever they can about the status of their investments and the assets of the Madoff companies. Although we cannot provide further details at this time, please be assured that all those involved are working diligently to investigate this matter and to locate and preserve assets that can be used for restitution to defrauded investors. Federal crime victims* have the following rights, as set forth in the Justice for All Act of 2004, 18 U.S.C. §3771: (1) The right to be reasonably protected from the accused. (2) The right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of any public court proceeding, or any parole proceeding, involving the crime or of any release or escape of the accused. (3) The right not to be excluded from any such public court proceeding, unless the court, after receiving clear and convincing evidence, determines that testimony by the victim would be materially altered if the victim heard other testimony at that proceeding. (4) The right to be reasonably heard at any public proceeding in the district court involving release, plea, sentencing, or any parole proceeding. (5) The reasonable right to confer with the attorney for the Government in the case. (6) The right to full and timely restitution as provided in law. (7) The right to proceedings free from unreasonable delay. (8) The right to be treated with fairness and with respect for the victim's dignity and privacy. *Under the statute, "the term ‘crime victim' means a person directly and proximately harmed as a result of the commission of a Federal offense or an offense in the District of Columbia. In the case of a crime victim who is under 18 years of age, incompetent, incapacitated, or deceased, the legal guardians of the crime victim or the representatives of the crime victim's estate, family members, or any other persons appointed as suitable by the court, may assume the crime victim's rights under this chapter, but in no event shall the defendant be named as such guardian or representative. The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York is committed to protecting the rights of crime victims. If you are a victim of an offense being prosecuted by our Office, our Victim/Witness Unit can make sure that you are notified of important stages of the case to help you exercise your rights. In addition, our Victim/Witness Unit can help refer you to agencies that provide other services to witnesses, such as compensation and counseling. For information or assistance with referrals, please contact: Wendy Olsen Clancy Victim/Witness Coordinator United States Attorney's Office One St. Andrew's Plaza New York, New York 10007 (866) 874-8900 Wendy.Olsen@usdoj.gov
UPDATE
A conference in United States v. Enrica Cotellessa-Pitz, S5 10 Cr. 228 (LTS), is scheduled before the Honorable Laura Taylor Swain on Monday, December 19, 2011 at 2:45 PM in United States District Court, Courtroom 11C, 500 Pearl Street, New York, New York. The parties anticipate that Cotellessa-Pitz will plead guilty pursuant to a cooperation agreement with the Government. A description of the anticipated charges and maximum penalties is attached to the Government's December 15, 2011 letter to the Court below.