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I think so…I think there are big lessons in the disgusting actions of Bernie Madoff…tremendous lessons. The first one being…greed doesn't pay and whatever it is that drives people to be greedy, isn't worth it!

Ask anyone who has been "caught up with" and they will tell you, it wasn't worth it. In his interview with Barbara Walters, Bernie Madoff talked about how he lived his life in fear everyday, afraid that the truth about his ponzi scheme and the fraud he was/is would be found out. He said other than missing his family, he prefers to be in jail. It is safer there! You know things have gone terribly wrong when you think/feel prison is a better alternative.
Not to mention loosing his son and all of the damage he did to his family. He is all alone…and will likely die in prison all for the sake of making a buck! Well….millions and millions of them! I bet if he had it to do over again, he would have done his life completely different.

The real estate profession has really come under scrutiny over the last few years and with good reason. There were ALOT of greedy people out there who put their greed above doing what is right, the fiduciary responsibility of taking care of the client and really looking out for the best interest of the client. It really was disgusting to watch when I saw it happening around me in the loan business. People being robbed blind by fast talking greedy brokers who were tasked with and supposed to be looking out for the client and their best interest. Four on the front and four on the back is robbery and those who did know who they are! I have some stories! Just thinking about it…irritates me!

I myself had the misfortune to work for a broker who was one of those greedy people who put his own ego and his own needs above all other. He robbed and manipulated so many people and I believe he was always operating out of desperation to keep up with his enormous ego. He had built himself up to be such a "big shot" and then he had to live up to those stories he told. He took from anyone who bought his BS to support his lavish lifestyle. He still lives in his mansion on the hill and drives a brand new Camero that is all tricked out. It really makes me sick honestly! He surrendered his license to the DRE and that seems to be it! I am unaware of any restitution as he is currently in BK. I personally think everything he owns should be liquidated to pay back the people he robbed! He should be experiencing what he put other people through by being homeless and having nothing. There is/was so much fraud in real estate that I guess they don't have time to prosecute? Who knows, I just find it disturbing.

The one thing I can tell you FOR SURE is that he is not having a good life. He has his mansion and he is still living large, but he is a miserable human being. He has process servers hunting him down while he is dropping his kids off at school! He is hunted for daily and must hide in his mansion, cant answer his front door and must always watch his back. I know he has been beat up a few different times. A fifty year old man getting his ass kicked! He is in great physical condition..but still! He has many enemies and I would imagine he is living in his own prison that he created for himself. Sounds like a happy ending? Not even close! He is a broken man pretending to be something and someone he isn't and he lives a lie everyday. I hear he is suffering and I'm not going to lie…I really hope he is!

Realtors have a fiduciary responsibility to put the welfare of the client first. I'm not saying you should work for free with those mean awful clients who don't want you to make an honest living. I have had those clients, they are awful and exhausting. I think those clients should be fired immediately and that you shouldn't sell yourself short as a professional. Don't get me started on that one! The things I have seen and dealt with. I bet you have your share of stories.

I'm saying that for those who choose to not do the right thing…they live in the prisons they create for themselves and live in fear of being caught. It's always better to do what's right, even though it may be difficult for whatever reason at the time, the alternative simply isn't worth it! not to mention that "karma is a b&$@h"!

Be authentic, be yourself, be honest and do the right thing, it makes for a much better life in the grand scheme of things.

Sorry for the rant, that Bernie got me on my soap box this morning! Jerk!