Madoff auction brings in a cool million, more to come
Several hundred of Madoff’s former possessions were auctioned off in New York City on Saturday, and most of them sold for prices that crushed their high estimates.
In total, the auction brought in more than $900,000 from goods seized from Madoff’s properties.
Bernie’s New York Mets jacket fetched $14,500 — more than 20 times what was expected. Ruth Madoff’s diamond dangle earrings knocked down a cool $70,000, more than three times the high estimate of $21,400. A pair of her onyx-and-diamond earrings also went for $70,000, more than seven times the high estimate of $9,800.
Three duck decoys, which were sold in separate lots for a total of $11,500, had been estimated to sell for $184 — total.
“This is great for the victims,” said Roland Ubaldo, the U.S. Marshal who was supervising the proceedings. “But it’s just a fraction of the money they lost.”
But more is expected to be made on Tuesday, when Bernie’s boats, including “The Bull,” go up for auction in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Plus, the Manhattan penthouse and Palm Beach house are still for sale. And there are expected to be at least two more auctions of his possession — including his clothes.
