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February 25, 2022

The stink of the Madoff name

What’s in a name, anyway?

We hate to keep picking on Bernie Madoff in this space but, let’s face it, he’s a crook who likely deserves it.

And his story, to be sure, simply won’t end. News came out today that Stephanie Madoff, the daughter-in-law to the prolific Ponzi pirate, has taken to a Manhattan court to have her name legally changed.

According to CNN, Stephanie and her family have received death threats and wish to “avoid additional embarrassment, harassment and endangerment associated with the name ‘Madoff,’” as stated in court documents.

(Madoff, as you know, was recently sentenced to 150 years in prison for his role in the disastrous Ponzi scheme that defrauded thousands of investors from billions of their dollars.)

This appears to be a prime example of how any “guilt by association” arguments in this case are flawed, too. Stephanie married Bernie’s son, Mark, and by all accounts had zero to do with his crooked financing. Tough not to feel for her and her two children – who will have their surname changed to Morgan – here.

And what a stink that Madoff name has now. Bernie’s daughter-in-law should consider these six name changes if she wants a moniker less notorious than her current one:

1. Stephanie Dahmer
2. Stephanie bin Laden
3. Stephanie Wilkes Booth
4. Stephanie L. GaGa
5. Stephanie Harvey Oswald
6. Stephanie the Ripper

In all seriousness, I certainly would change my name if it ended Madoff, and so might you.

Makes you wonder what the other dozen-or-so Madoffs in New York City are thinking right about now.

By Jason Buckland, MSN Money

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Gordon PowersGordon Powers

A long-time fund company executive, Gordon Powers now heads up the Affinity Group, a financial services consulting firm. Gordon was a personal finance columnist for the Globe & Mail for many years, has taught retirement planning...

Jason BucklandJason Buckland

The modern-day MC Hammer of money, Jason can often be seen spending cash that isn’t his with the efficiency of a Wilt Chamberlain first date. After cutting his teeth as a reporter for the Toronto Sun, he joined the MSN Money team with...