Forbes: Sentences for White-Collar Criminal: Too Harsh or Too Lenient?

https://www.forbes.com/sites/investopedia/2012/06/08/sentences-for-white-collar-criminals-too-harsh-or-too-lenient/?sh=59bb7890275b

1) Discuss each convicted person's case - what crimes did the person commit, how much money did they fraudulently steal, what was the sentence for their crimes?Be specific.

2) Although the information is sparse, do you agree with each of their sentences?Were they too harsh, too lenient, about right?

3) According to the article, when leniency is applied to sentences, who is the only winner?

4) How did the article state offenders should be punished?Do you agree?

CNBC Documentary on Bernie Madoff:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pSzW3gCosE

1) How much did Bernie Madoff steal from his investors?

2) When was Bernie Madoff arrested?

3) According to the documentary, what is a Ponzi scheme?

4) Where does the term "Ponzi scheme" come from and from what decade?

5) Where did the money go that investors were giving Madoff's firm to "invest'?

6) What was Bernie Madoff telling his early investors in terms of how much profit they were earning?Was it true?

7) What two distinct parts were Bernie Madoff's business split into?What did each part do... supposedly?

8) According to Madoff, when and why did he begin to commit fraud?

9) According to David Sheehan, Chief Counsel Madoff Bankruptcy Trustee, when does he believe the fraud started?