Bernie Madoff: FBI arrests two former secretaries

American authorities today arrested two former secretaries of jailed swindler Bernie Madoff in connection with his infamous multibillion-dollar Ponzi scheme. Annette Bongiorno, who worked for Madoff for 40 years until his confession and arrest in December 2008, was arrested at her home in Boca Raton, Florida. JoAnn "Jodi" Crupi was taken into custody at her Westfield, New Jersey home, according to an FBI spokesman. They are charged with conspiring to mislead investors and breaking US securities and tax laws, as well as facing related civil charges. Bongiorno is alleged to have created fake trades and falsified accounts to show fictional profits, stealing millions for herself. Prosecutors alleged Crupi, as the employee responsible for the main bank account used by Madoff's securities operation, acted to hide the fraud and helped cash out Madoff's friends and family members as the scheme began to collapse. Charges against Bongiorno and Crupi were unexpected. In June, prosecutors lodged civil claims against the pair accusing them of knowingly assisting in the fraud. The claims sought seizure of $5m (£3m) in assets from the two women, including money, homes and cars. The complaint against Bongiorno was later increased to ask for an additional $2m. According to the Wall Street Journal, Bongiorno was a supervisor of Madoff's back-office staff and looked after customers seeking information about their accounts. Crupi had worked there since 1983 and took in client funds. Bongiorno's lawyer, Roland Riopelle, said prosecutors had indicated they would charge her a year ago. "She intends to defend herself in connection with the charges," he told the paper. Madoff, who is serving a 150-year sentence in a North Carolina prison, continues to fascinate. Last weekend, the sale of his personal effects, from slippers to underwear and Rolex watches, raised more than $2m for victims of the $20bn scheme. ends