Prison Denies Madoff Cancer Report

(CBS)  Update: Prison information officer Traci Billingsley has issued the following statement: "While the NY Post story is full of inaccuracies, and we can't specifically address all of them, we can tell you that Bernie Madoff is not terminally ill, and has not been diagnosed with cancer."

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Just a couple months into his lifetime prison sentence, Bernie Madoff is apparently making friends, and confessions.

The New York Post reports that the disgraced investor who duped clients out of billions with his Ponzi scheme claims he is dying of cancer.

"He's been taking about 20 pills a day for his cancer," one inmate tells the Post. "He talks about it all the time. He's not doing very well."

Madoff has also participated in sweat lodge ceremonies with Native American inmates, the Post reports, in an effort to detoxify his body. He has also forged bonds with homosexual inmates, the newspaper reports.

"In prison, you stick to your own kind, but he's doing the exact opposite by hanging with the Indians and [homosexuals] - so who is going to have his back?" an inmate told the newspaper.

The 71-year-old Madoff could be released for good behavior by November 2139. He is listed in Bureau of Prisons records as prisoner number 61727-054.

[cbsblogger]

So are they suggesting that if the man has cancer, he should be allowed to live out his life in comfort and style?

[f091964]

weekend at bernie's

[diane100]

Of course. All sharks die when they can't swim.

[Ace22257]

Ohhhh here we go again.....yet another poor unfortunate incarcerated criminal surely hoping our judicial system will show some compassion for them and grant them release from prison. BOO HOO.....go back to the prison cell you belong in Bernie!!! No sympothy whatsoever from this guy. Bernie should be DENIED medical health coverage if he's terminal. When LAW ABIDING WORKING CLASS PEOPLE are denied health insurance because of terminal illness i can see no good reason to supply incarcerated criminals and murderers with health coverage....it just doesn't make any sense......

[us_1776]

Bernie Madoff is a total con-artist. He is just so pathetic.

[democracy1]

What goes around comes around. Sorry Bernie, but this is just your just desserts as delivered by karma. Should have lived a better life...oops!

[Questionews]

Who says an old dog can't learn new tricks?

Let's see, there's sit, stay, lay down, roll over. Yep! I'm sure he's learning all of those. He still doesn't have playing dead down very well just yet.

[credibility2]

If he were serving time in Scotland, he'd be back in his NY posh penthouse living it up and looking forward to his special parade down Park Avenue. I understand where he's staying there's actually a Native American Indian Sweat Lodge and a healer where Bernie is going to regain his soul before he crokes. And this is what our taxes pay for? Prison is for being punished, not being cleansed with traditional Shaman-like ceremonies. Why isn't this man being made to suffer? All of his victims are suffering.

[afmcalax]

"In prison, you stick to your own kind" Are there really that man 70+ year old Jewish men in prision to wear they could actually form a group? Even so, would you want them to be watching your back? Maybe Bernie should have thought through all the ramifications PRIOR to breaking the law and defrauding all those people. I have no sympathy for him.

[the74blaster]

Waterboard him and find out who his accomplices are! It sounds as though 61727-054 needs some company!