Bergen County Man In Ill-Health Asks For Leniency In Madoff Scam Sentencing: Report

A Bergen County man in deteriorating health will reportedly ask for leniency when he is sentenced next week for his role in the Bernie Madoff’s ponzi scheme.

Irwin Lipkin, 77, of Paramus, could be sentenced to 10 years in prison, something that his laywer argues, could kill him, Bloomberg.com reported. admitted in 2012 he falsified books and records for Madoff. His sentencing was delayed because he has been ill.

Dr. Bruce Charash, a doctor who examined Lipkin, said that, in prison, Lipkin “would be chronically in danger of either falling or losing consciousness and failing.

“Incarceration in a prison carries an unreasonable likelihood of proving to be a death sentence,” NorthJersey.com reported.

Lipkin’s sentencing has already been delayed several times due to his failing health, according to published reports.

Lipkin said in a statement that he didn’t know what was happening at the company and helped his son get a job there, The Record reported. Lipkin’s attorney, Richard P. Geller, said Lipkin was not aware of the fraud until it became public.