National Geographic Documentaries

Seized and Sold: The Madoff Auction (2011x27)

Air date: Apr 27, 2011

While Bernie Madoff sits in jail for his multibillion-dollar Ponzi scheme, the U.S. Marshals Service auctions off thousands of items from his New York homes. Up on the auction block: a $350,000 diamond ring, rare Persian rugs, a 1917 Steinway piano and thousands of other items seized by the U.S. government. The money made at auction then goes into the Asset Forfeiture Program, which aids victims of white-collar crimes.