Bernie Madoff auction

Suits which belonged to disgraced financier Bernie Madoff, are displayed during a press preview of items from Madoff to be auctioned, at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, November 10, 2010 in New York. Hundreds of items once belonging to Madoff will be auctioned off on November 13, 2010, running the gamut from a massive emerald-cut diamond to his black bedroom slippers, US officials said. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel Dunand (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)

This photograph obtained October 22, 2010 from the US Marshalls Service shows the black bedroom slippers owned by disgraced financier Bernie Madoff, which along with hundreds of other items are to be auctioned off on November 13, 2010. The US Marshals Service said that all told, about 400 pieces of Madoff property would be sold during the live auction in New York. The property was seized to help pay restitution to the victims of Madoff's multi-billion dollar swindle, in which he for years pilfered money from rich investors while pretending to manage their funds. His record-breaking Ponzi scheme earned him a prison sentence of 125 years last year, but not before he was able to swindle tens of billions of dollars from investors during two decades. The US government office said the auction, which simultaneously will be held online, would sell off items not only belonging to Madoff, but to his wife Ruth as well, including her 10.54 carat diamond ring in a handmade platinum mounting. The sale also wil

Personal items which belonged to disgraced financier Bernie Madoff, are displayed during a press preview of items from Madoff to be auctioned, at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, November 10, 2010 in New York. Hundreds of items once belonging to Madoff will be auctioned off on November 13, 2010, running the gamut from a massive emerald-cut diamond to his black bedroom slippers, US officials said. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel Dunand (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)

epa02440580 A case of watches and jewelry belonging to US financier Bernard Madoff is displayed during a media preview of the US Marshals Service's 'Madoff II Auction' in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA, 10 November 2010. More than 400 pieces of seized personal property, jewelry, and antiques from Madoff and his wife, Ruth, will be sold at an auction in New York City, New York on 13 November 2010, the proceeds of which will be used to compensate the victims of Madoff's multi-billion dollar scam. EPA/JUSTIN LANE

Shirts which belonged to disgraced financier Bernie Madoff, are displayed during a press preview of items from Madoff to be auctioned, at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, November 10, 2010.Hundreds of items once belonging to Madoff will be auctioned off on November 13, 2010, running the gamut from a massive emerald-cut diamond to his black bedroom slippers, US officials said. Proceeds from the auction will compensate the victims of his multibillion USD Ponzi scheme. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel Dunand (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)

A desk, one of more than 400 pieces of personal property, jewellery and antiques belonging to Bernard Madoff and his wife, is seen in this undated handout photo made available October 20, 2010. The items will be sold by the United States Marshals Service during a live and on-line auction in New York on November 13, 2010. Proceeds from the auction will be deposited in the United States Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Fund to compensate victims of the multi-billion dollar fraud. REUTERS/U.S. Marshals Service/Handout (UNITED STATES - Tags: CRIME LAW BUSINESS) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

A 10.54-carat ladies emerald cut diamond engagement ring, one of more than 400 pieces of personal property, jewellery and antiques belonging to Bernard Madoff and his wife, is seen in this undated handout photo made available October 20, 2010. The items will be sold by the United States Marshals Service during a live and on-line auction in New York on November 13, 2010. Proceeds from the auction will be deposited in the United States Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Fund to compensate victims of the multi-billion dollar fraud. REUTERS/U.S. Marshals Service/Handout (UNITED STATES - Tags: CRIME LAW BUSINESS) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 10: Items including a bed are displayed at a press preview of an auction of 400 pieces of personal property, jewelry, and antiques from Bernard and Ruth Madoff November 10, 2010 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The United States Marshals Service will conduct the auction of property seized in connection with Madoff s criminal prosecution and the proceeds will be deposited into a fund compensating victims of the multi-billion dollar fraud. The auction will occur at 10:00 a.m. on November 13, 2010 online and live at the New York Sheraton Hotel and Towers. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

A Steinway and Sons Grand Piano, one of more than 400 pieces of personal property, jewellery and antiques belonging to Bernard Madoff and his wife, is seen in this undated handout photo made available October 20, 2010. The items will be sold by the United States Marshals Service during a live and on-line auction in New York on November 13, 2010. Proceeds from the auction will be deposited in the United States Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Fund to compensate victims of the multi-billion dollar fraud. REUTERS/U.S. Marshals Service/Handout (UNITED STATES - Tags: CRIME LAW BUSINESS) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

Personal items which belonged to disgraced financier Bernie Madoff, are displayed during a press preview of items from Madoff to be auctioned, at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, November 10, 2010. Hundreds of items once belonging to Madoff will be auctioned off on November 13, 2010, running the gamut from a massive emerald-cut diamond to his black bedroom slippers, US officials said. Proceeds from the auction will compensate the victims of his multibillion USD Ponzi scheme. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel Dunand (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)

(FILES) Bernard L Madoff walks down Lexington Ave to his apartment December 17, 2008 in New York City. Hundreds of items once belonging to disgraced financier Bernie Madoff will be auctioned off next month, running the gamut from a massive emerald-cut diamond to his black bedroom slippers, US officials said October 21, 2010. The US Marshals Service said that all told, about 400 pieces of Madoff property would be sold during the November 13 live auction in New York. The property was seized to help pay restitution to the victims of Madoff's multi-billion dollar swindle, in which he for years pilfered money from rich investors while pretending to manage their funds. AFP PHOTO/DON EMMERT (Photo credit should read DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images)