New City, NY – Bernie Madoff’s former accountant is expected to plead guilty to criminal charges, federal authorities said this afternoon in court papers.
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The filing — signed by a federal prosecutor and David Friehling’s defense lawyer — indicates that the accountant plans to waive indictment and plead guilty in Manhattan federal court.
“Please take notice that the United States Attorney’s Office will file an information upon the defendant’s waiver of indictment,” the court papers said.
An information is an alternative charging document in lieu of an indictment and is used when someone decides to plead guilty to criminal charges.
The feds filed charges against Friehling in March, accusing him of fraud, aiding and abetting investment adviser fraud and false audit reports.
Madoff was sentenced to 150 years behind bars last month for running a $64 billion Ponzi scheme.
Friehling’s lawyer, Andrew Lankler, did not return calls for comment.
Maybe they’ll be roomates in jail.
I think he’s the biggest crook. his job was to act as an independent verifier, and he let everyone down. Accountants are given the job of preventing wannabe Bernies (of which there are many!).
Was there one investor who gave his money to Madoff because of Mr.Friehling’s expert opinion on his fund’s finances? Every single potential Madoff investor who did his DD (due diligence) knew that such a small accounting firm is not adequate for the fund as big as Madoff’s. The greedy bunch believed that Bernie has some crooked shtik in his sleeve to provide guaranteed results and didn’t care who his auditor is. Friehling was nothing more than a Sitz-director. So he will do his Sitz, probably for much longer than he has anticipated. And for all of the self-righteous accusers – how many of you would reject a few hundred grand a year for signing financial statements of one of the Wall Street’s biggest Machers? Bernie could’ve found hundreds of Friehlings. So the guy has gambled and lost. I wish him well, May Hashem repay him for the many good deedse he’ve done.
when will the government officials be accounted for their acts?
as of today the corruption is still there!!! my friends.
this is terrible news…i was going to ask him to do my income tax return now that the marginal tax is going to 57% under mr obbama.