By Barb Shelly, Kansas City Star editorial page columnist
For now, anyway, Ruth Madoff will face no charges in connection with the massive financial fraud that landed her husband Bernie a 150-year prison sentence, according to the New York Post.
Prosecutors can't find evidence that Madoff knew about or participated in the fraud, sources told The Post.
Ah, but the public verdict is in. Guilty by association. Sentenced to ostracism. Ruth will have trouble finding a place to live. Old friends will be too busy to see her. She'll even have trouble finding someone to color her hair, as the New York Times famously reported.
A statement Ruth issued this week smartly focused on the suffering of Bernie's victims, not her own difficulties. But she's lived too lavishly to be a sympathetic figure.
So what does one do at age 68, when your finances consist of a lump sum $2.5 million alloted to you in an agreement with the prosecutors, your friends have deserted you and your husband is a pariah in prison?
Who knows? Possibly volunteer work in an orphanage in India or Africa or somewhere. It's one place she could probably find acceptance.
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Barb
You seem to have a problem with wives. Not sure why you always seem to look down your nose at some women who choose to stand by their spouse in difficult times. I think its admirable, and its just as admirable to tell your husband to take a hike.
But she's lived too lavishly to be a sympathetic figure.
Yes, the haves vs the have nots. Nothing like pitting one against another simply because she lived a lifestyle you didn't.
This has to be a 1st Interface....
I just feel the love going around and around....
I think this something we can all agree on
you, me, Barb, everyone -- none of us have much sympathy for Mrs. Madoff.
Hold on, hold on...
I am looking for the box of tissues... This chick was given, as you said, 2.5 MILLION dollars.
At just 5%, she gets 125K per year. Cry me a river if she can't squeeze-by on that....