Ruth Madoff Reportedly Divorcing Ponzi-Scheming Husband

Ruth Madoff is reportedly divorcing her Ponzi-scheming husband after more than five decades of marriage.

British newspaper the Daily Mail, quoting the author of a book about Bernard Madoff, reported that Ruth Madoff wants to end her marriage in an effort to reconcile with her son Andrew.

The couples only other son, Mark, committed suicide in December at the age of 46. At the time, friends attributed Marks suicide in part to his anguish at being associated with his fathers crimes.

Diana Henriques, the author of The Wizard of Lies, told the Daily Mail that Ruth Madoff has not seen her husband since Mark committed suicide.

Ira Sorkin, Bernard Madoffs defense attorney, did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation of the report.

Andrew and Mark turned their father in to the FBI in December of 2008 after he confessed to them that he had masterminded arguably the largest investment fraud in history. The two sons reportedly cut off contact with their father after his crimes were revealed.

Bernard Madoff subsequently pleaded guilty to numerous crimes and was sentenced in June 2008 to 150 years in prison. He is serving his sentence in a federal prison in North Carolina.

The sons helped run Madoffs legitimate broker-dealer business in New York, one floor above the offices where Bernard Madoff and a handful of long-time employees orchestrated his massive fraud.

Extensive investigations by federal prosecutors and law enforcement officials have yet to uncover evidence that Andrew or Mark had any knowledge of their fathers criminal activities. The two have been slapped with numerous civil lawsuits, however, and their assets targeted by investigators seeking to recoup losses from the fraud.