Could it be that there really was a deal for Bernie Madoff--one whose details will remain in camera?
Otherwise, we simply can't understand why Bernie Madoff would have thrown in the towel and pled guilty on eleven counts last Thursday, rather than taking his chances before a jury.
Could it be that the Feds knew from the get-go that the slightly-built, fine-boned and vivacious Ruth, nee Alpern--dubbed "Josie College" during her years at Far Rockaway High School--and not the low-key Bernie, was the instigator of his massive Ponzi scheme?
Is that why Bernie's seemingly loving mate did not accompany him to court even once in the three months following his arrest?
If indeed Ruth was fingered early on and a deal was in the pipline, Ike Sorkin, and later her new attorney, Peter A. Chavkin, may have thought it the better part of wisdom for the erstwhile High School Queen to publicly distance herself from the Ponzi King.
So what could that deal be?
We believe that the scenario may read as follows:
Bernie pleads, apologizes and goes directly to jail;
The Feds go after and confiscate all of the assets--real estate and cash and jewelry and silverware and other items--Ruth claims are hers;
The investigation of Ruth's complicity is dropped, and, as a bonus, Mark and Andrew are left alone.