Madoff kin seek to drop his notorious name

Bernard Madoff arrives at federal court in Manhattan on March... — Bernard Madoff arrives at federal court in Manhattan on March 12. Madoff pleaded guilty to charges that through his company, Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities, he ran a massive Ponzi scheme. He was sentenced in June to 150 years in prison. (March 2009) Credit: AP File

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSFebruary 24, 2010

One of Bernard Madoff’s daughters-in-law says she and her children shouldn’t have to bear the burden of his name.

Stephanie Madoff filed court papers in Manhattan on Wednesday asking to change her last name to Morgan. She made the same request for her two children.

She’s married to the jailed financier’s son, Mark. She says her family has gotten threats, and she wants to drop the Madoff name to avoid “additional humiliation” and harassment. Her lawyer declined to comment.

Mark Madoff says in court papers he doesn’t object.

Bernard Madoff is serving a 150-year prison sentence after admitting he cheated investors out of billions of dollars through an investment Ponzi scheme. His lawyer didn’t immediately return a call Wednesday.

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