Mets Owners and Madoff Victims Trustee Settle Lawsuit for $162 Million

Mar 24, 2012 02:55 AM EDT

The embattled Mets owners, Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz, were accused of turning a blind eye to Madoff's fraud and reaping profits despite warning signs, a charge they denied.

Picard originally sought to recover $1 billion for the victims, but U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff limited the suit to two years, limiting damages to $386 million. Under a March ruling, the owners must pay the victims $83 million and were liable for up to another $303 million. 

The jury for the trial, scheduled to begin Monday, had not been selected.

The Wilpons hold most of their wealth through Sterling Equities, a real estate company, which would be difficult to liquidate. As a result, the owners have been seeking a minority owner to relieve the team's financial burden.

The embattled Mets owners, Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz, were accused of turning a blind eye to Madoff's fraud and reaping profits despite warning signs, a charge they denied.

Picard originally sought to recover $1 billion for the victims, but U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff limited the suit to two years, limiting damages to $386 million. Under a March ruling, the owners must pay the victims $83 million and were liable for up to another $303 million. 

The jury for the trial, scheduled to begin Monday, had not been selected.

The Wilpons hold most of their wealth through Sterling Equities, a real estate company, which would be difficult to liquidate. As a result, the owners have been seeking a minority owner to relieve the team's financial burden.

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