When the House committee that will hold hearings today on Bernard Madoff and the role of the SEC announced its witness list, one of the most interesting names was that of Harry Markopolos. The former rival investor to Bernard Madoff, who had first argued in a complaint to the SEC that Madoff’s business was not on the level, was the closest thing this scandal has had to a heroic whistleblower.
But now Markopolos has pulled out, citing illness. Given the low public profile he has maintained since his role in the scandal became public, that move raised our interest.
A spokesperson for Rep. Paul Kanjorski, who chairs the sub-committee holding the hearings, told TPMmuckraker in an email, referring to Markopolos: “He has said that he looks forward to testifying at a subsequent hearing.”
So perhaps we’ll get to hear from him in the end. But until we do, this will bear watching.