The Wizard Of Lies

Mark Madoff: Up until December 10th of 2008, I spent the entirity of my life in awe of my father. I juged every accomplishment, every failure, professionally and personally against the life he lived. He's a proven man in everything and maybe, too much as long as I could remember I worked as hard I could to make him proud. And then one day, I found out that my father was not the man that I thought. He's a criminal, a man I didn't respect. And yet, this man, my father is the same man who taught me right from wrong, taught me to be fair and decent and honest, taught me about the importance of character, what it means to be a husband... and most importantly, how to be a father. I am the son of Bernie Madoff. I used to think I could never escape that. Now I'm certain I won't. Why is it so hard to believe that those closest to him didn't see him as a criminal? Why is it so hard to believe that his son would think his father could do no wrong? When I look at my youngest son, Nick, I fear the day when he's old enough to ask what's his grandfather was like. What kind of man was he? If I tell him he's evil, how can I explain...

[mumbles incoherently and cries]