Madoff victims cannot sidestep $7.2 billion settlement: U.S. judge

A federal judge has blocked litigation that the trustee liquidating Bernard Madoff's firm said could undermine a $7.2 billion settlement meant to benefit the Ponzi schemer's former customers. In a decision made public on Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Gregory Woods in Manhattan said A&G Goldman Partnership and Pamela Goldman cannot pursue a Florida lawsuit to recover $11 billion from the estate of Jeffry Picower, who they say helped perpetuate Madoff's fraud. The decision is a victory for Ir