Bernie and O.J.

No, I'm not about to spout a tinfoil hat conspiracy about a supposed connection between the two. But I have been watching the TV movies on each and again had these thoughts.

The relevant connection is how certain public figures- Madoff within his industry, and O.J. Simpson to the American public- had a "halo effect" around them at one time. Philanthropy, success on the field in the case of O.J. and financial industry innovation from Madoff (NASDAQ), lots of associates in key places.

The American public, and even the LAPD at first, thought and even expressed "no, not O.J., can't be him..." even though he had some domestic violence incidents. Even I was like "yeah, maybe, but why? Is he that stupid? Is he that violent?" O.J. was a good guy, football legend (too young to remember), sports commentator, the guy in the Hertz commercials and Naked Gun movies. Not a killer?

Same for Madoff, especially within his circles. Respected, a genius. Philanthropist. His firm developed the small stocks trading system that was integrated into NASDAQ. He was the past CHAIR of NASDAQ! No, not him, could he be that devious and foolish? Sadly he was.

So that is part of the answer as to why it was so hard to stop Bernie Madoff. The denial level was so high.