Bottom line for Bernie Madoff: 150 years

Bernard Madoff, who “invested” his integrity, reputation and freedom in an anything-to-win, predatory bid to get and stay fabulously rich, received his earnings report today — from a judge who sentenced him to 150 years in prison.

As a result, the 71-year-old operator of history’s biggest ponzi scheme will trade his New York City penthouse and luxurious Long Island and Florida mansions for a cramped, two-inmate cell.

Although Madoff got to enjoy his ill-gotten gains for years, today’s court appearance revealed pathetic poverty at the core of his existence. First, none of his family members, friends or employees showed enough love and loyalty to be there for him.

And there was this:

(U.S. District Court Judge Denny Chin) noted that not one of the more than 100 letters he received supported Madoff or described any good deeds he had done.

“The absence of such support is telling,” Chin said.

Indeed, it is telling.

The judge characterized Madoff’s crimes, ripping off $55 billion, as “extraordinarily evil” and noted they had taken “a staggering human toll.”

We’ll never know how many hopes and dreams, how many comfortable retirements and college educations Madoff cheated his victims out of. There were too many billions of stolen dollars involved to make such an accounting possible.

Given the chance to make a statement, Madoff spoke for 10 minutes. He uttered what can only be described as dull explanations and lame excuses. And for his victims there was this.

“I will turn and face you,” he said mechanically. “I’m sorry. I know that doesn’t help you.”

The more one learns about Bernard Madoff the more clear it becomes that money was all he ever had going for him — the ability to get it and to spend it.

Now, along with his integrity, reputation and freedom, he has lost that.