Stung philanthropist never doubted Madoff

High-profile Florida philanthropist Michael Bienes says he never suspected arrested investment guru Bernard Madoff of running an alleged scam.

In an interview published Sunday in South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Bienes said he lost more than $10 million and is near bankruptcy because of money given to Madoff, who is accused by federal securities investigators of operating a $50 billion Ponzi scheme.

Asked if he ever doubted Madoff, Bienes, 72, responded, “Doubt Bernie Madoff? Doubt Bernie? No. You doubt God. You can doubt God, but you don’t doubt Bernie. He had that aura about him.

If I did (suspect Madoff), would I have all of my money there? Please, come on. I’m not totally crazy.

The Sun-Sentinel said Bienes’ $6.7 million home in Fort Lauderdale’s exclusive Bay Colony neighborhood is for sale, and the philanthropist admitted he cannot meet his charitable commitments, including part of $2.5 million promised to Fort Lauderdale’s St. Thomas Aquinas High School for the Bienes Center for the Arts.