The feds are planning a marathon trial for the five “back office” workers charged with helping Bernie Madoff pull off his massive Ponzi scheme.
Manhattan federal Judge Laura Taylor Swain yesterday said she would block off five-plus months for the case against Daniel Bonventre, Annette Bongiorno, Joann Crupi, Jerome O’Hara and George Perez after prosecutor Matthew Schwartz said the feds might need up to four months to present evidence.
Former Madoff CFO Frank DiPascali Jr., who pleaded guilty in the $65 billion scam, is expected to appear as the feds’ star witness. Jury selection is set for Oct. 7.
Swain also eased the bail conditions for Crupi, who will no longer have to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet and abide by a curfew.