http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/01/01/...tue/index.html
Statue stolen from Madoff found with message
* Story Highlights
* Statue was reported stolen in December from Florida estate of Bernard Madoff
* Statue recovered with message: "Lesson: Return stolen property to rightful owners"
* Madoff was arrested in December, accused of operating $50 billion Ponzi scheme
(CNN) -- A statue worth more than $10,000 that was stolen from the Palm Beach, Florida, estate of Wall Street investment adviser Bernard Madoff has been recovered, police said Thursday.
Palm Beach police Sgt. Chris Proscia said the 4-foot-high statue was found Wednesday morning with a message attached to it reading: "Bernie the Swindler, Lesson: Return stolen property to rightful owners."
The statue was stolen December 19, eight days after Madoff was arrested in New York on suspicion of operating a $50 billion Ponzi scheme. He was charged with securities fraud and is under house arrest in New York while awaiting court proceedings.
Police said the statue, which depicts two lifeguards sitting on a bench, was discovered undamaged in some bushes a few blocks from Madoff's million-dollar Palm Beach estate.
The note on it was signed, "The Educators."
The theft, which was discovered by a property manager for Madoff, is under investigation, authorities said.
The investor was charged in December with one count of securities fraud. His $10 million bail is secured by properties owned by him and his wife, including the Manhattan apartment and the Palm Beach estate.
CNN's Christian Chinnici contributed to this report.
All AboutBernard Madoff
Statue stolen from Madoff found with message
* Story Highlights
* Statue was reported stolen in December from Florida estate of Bernard Madoff
* Statue recovered with message: "Lesson: Return stolen property to rightful owners"
* Madoff was arrested in December, accused of operating $50 billion Ponzi scheme
(CNN) -- A statue worth more than $10,000 that was stolen from the Palm Beach, Florida, estate of Wall Street investment adviser Bernard Madoff has been recovered, police said Thursday.
Palm Beach police Sgt. Chris Proscia said the 4-foot-high statue was found Wednesday morning with a message attached to it reading: "Bernie the Swindler, Lesson: Return stolen property to rightful owners."
The statue was stolen December 19, eight days after Madoff was arrested in New York on suspicion of operating a $50 billion Ponzi scheme. He was charged with securities fraud and is under house arrest in New York while awaiting court proceedings.
Police said the statue, which depicts two lifeguards sitting on a bench, was discovered undamaged in some bushes a few blocks from Madoff's million-dollar Palm Beach estate.
The note on it was signed, "The Educators."
The theft, which was discovered by a property manager for Madoff, is under investigation, authorities said.
The investor was charged in December with one count of securities fraud. His $10 million bail is secured by properties owned by him and his wife, including the Manhattan apartment and the Palm Beach estate.
CNN's Christian Chinnici contributed to this report.
All AboutBernard Madoff
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