Bernie Madoff’s auditor pleaded not guilty today to securities fraud.
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan claim accountant David Friehling rubber-stamped Madoff’s books for 17 years without confirming their accuracy.
He is the only person besides Madoff facing criminal charges in the case in which thousands of people lost money in a $64 billion Ponzi scheme.
Friehling waived his right to have a grand jury consider his case this morning before entering his not guilty plea at a federal court in Manhattan.
Both sides are currently negotiating a plea deal before Friehling’s next court appearance on Oct. 1.
Madoff is currently serving a 150-year sentence at a prison in North Carolina.