Former Milberg Weiss name partners Melvyn Weiss (pictured) and David Bershad are among the thousands of clients of Bernard Madoff that appear in the 163-page list filed last night with the U.S. Bankruotcy Court, the Am Law Daily reports. Weiss’s lawyer, Benjamin Brafman in New York, has reportedly confirmed Weiss was one of Madoff’s victims:
“Mel Weiss, like many dozens of other vary sophisticated and highly successful people, unfortunately believed that Bernard Madoff was a scrupulously honest, legitimate investment adviser who was also involved in very impressive philanthropic activities,” Brafman says. “Mr. Weiss, like many others, are now bitterly disappointed to learn that they have apparently been victims of a fraud.
“But to fool people like Mel Weiss, Mort Zuckerman, and [Mets owner] Fred Wilpon suggests that Madoff was truly a ‘master’ at his craft.”
The list of Madoff clients was prepared by AlixPartners L.P., which was hired by the bankruptcy trustee as claims agent.
The Am Law Daily reports that Howard Vogel, the broker that received kickbacks from Milberg Weiss to serve as a name plaintiff, is also listed as a Madoff client.
