The author of a book about one of the biggest ponzi schemes ever was in Erie today, speaking at the Jefferson Educational Society. Lionel Lewis wrote the book, "Con Game: Bernie Madoff and His Victims."
Lewis believes the con game lasted for decades and fleeced victims out of $17 billion to $18 billion. He said many of the victims declined to speak with him. And he was surprised that many of the victims he did interview refused to acknowledge that they allowed themselves to be victimized.
He said, "A ponzi scheme, a con game, people don't take your money, you give it to them and then they take it."
Lewis is the author of 6 books and 135 research articles and essays.