Discourse.net

The problem with these scams is that the second and even third and fourth order effects can still be serious.

Quite a few charities have been sunk by Madoff as their benefactors have gone under.

And this one act of embezzlement has probably sunk the legitimate hedge fund industry with it. Which may not be a bad thing of course. With hedge funds and real estate out for the time being, Investors seeking above average gains are going to be forced to look at the VC route in the near term.

Might see some money going into vulture funds looking to buy up all the properties and businesses that are suddenly becoming cheap.

Re U of Miami . I hope you are right that they had no funds with Madoff, but seems like it would be a miraculous escape. Esp for Bascom Palmer which has received alot of funding from Palm Beach residents.

Check your sources again? I hear from sources in the know, that UM has lost a fair amount via donations and investments.

It's important to distinguish between (1) money UM has in its pocket and invests (no Madoff issues, I have heard from independent sources, but all 2nd hand) and (2) money that UM was hoping to receive from donors, or perhaps even had pledged by donors. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to hear there were major local donors or would-be donors with Madoff issues. So if this is right, UM may not escape the effects Madoff problem in the end -- but through no fault of its own. But so far the story -- all hearsay, I admit -- is that the university didn't have any money invested directly with him, and I've heard nothing to the contrary from anyone who ought to know.