Madoff auction nets U.S. $2 million

NEW YORK, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- An auction of Bernie Madoff possessions in New York Saturday brought in about $2 million for the victims of his $65 billion Ponzi scheme, officials said.

The New York Daily News said Madoff's grand piano went for $42,000 and a single rug went for $30,000.

Up for grabs were the contents of Madoff's upper East Side penthouse and Montauk, N.Y., beach house. The event attracted hundreds of people to the New York hotel where the auction was held and more than 1,000 people signed on to bid online.

John Rodger, 81, of Long Island told the Daily News he bought the 72-year-old convict's piano as a "conversation piece."

"It has a little bit of history to it and it's a little hysterical too," he said.

CNN reported the U.S. Marshals Service sold off 489 pieces of personal property belonging to Madoff and his wife Ruth for more than $2 million. The profits, including $550,000 for a 10.5-carat diamond ring and $6,100 paid a pair of black velveteen slippers, goes to the U.S. Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Fund to compensate his victims, CNN said.

Madoff is serving his 150-year sentence at a medium-security prison in North Carolina.