‘Code of Jewish Ethics’ Volume Graces Table at Former Madoff Home
by Zach Pontz
A house in Old Westbury on Long Island with a unique history has come on the market, and it’s not the long, winding driveway, tennis court, or poolhouse surrounded by lavish gardens that is drawing so much attention. Rather it’s the fact that the home used to belong to Peter Madoff, brother of Bernie, who is now languishing in jail for his part in the infamous ponzi scheme that fleeced scores of people of billions of dollars.
Now property of the United States Marshall, the home is on the market for $4.495 million, according to the New York Times.
“When dealing with a home this grandiose, the outside world can lose sight of where all these fine things come from,” Kevin Kamrowski, a deputy United States marshal, told the Times in an e-mail. “Everything in this home was obtained on the backs of other people.”
And there are a lot of things in the home. From gold-color lamps and crystal candlesticks to a delicate wooden coffee table and a collection of walking sticks.
“This was staged with, believe it or not, my recommendations and the hard work of the U.S. Marshals office,” said Shawn Elliott of Shawn Elliott Luxury Homes and Estates, who is the broker who was brought in to sell the property.”Every single book in here was actually taken off the shelf, tagged and numbered, and then put back.”
One book, reports The Times, was prominently and symbolically displayed on a table in the library; “A Code of Jewish Ethics, Volume 1: You Shall Be Holy,” by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin.
Elliott says he has received offers on the property, but none has been accepted yet. When the house does finally sell, the money will go towards repaying Madoff’s victims.