Madoff whistle-blower to visit MU

COLUMBIA — Harry Markopolos labeled his analysis of Bernie Madoff’s investment strategy “The World’s Largest Hedge Fund is a Fraud.” He sent the 20-page analysis to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

And no one believed him.

It took him three years of whistle-blowing until Madoff finally turned himself in. Markopolos recently released a book titled, “No One Would Listen.”

The impact of Madoff’s scheme and Markopolos’ work prompted the MU School of Accountancy in the Trulaske College of Business to recruit Markopolos for this year’s Richard M. Orin Ethics Symposium.

The school's director, Vairam Arunachalam, said the value of speakers at the annual symposium highlight the importance of students developing a strong ethical consciousness in business and finance.

“Mr. Madoff has clearly had a large negative impact in investor confidence,” Arunachalam said. “I believe it’s hopefully a constructive look at what we can do to fix some of these problems. It’s not meant to be a rant, it’s meant to be constructive.”

The symposium will take place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday at Bush Auditorium at MU.