Two former computer programmers at Bernie Madoff's securities firm were indicted Wednesday on conspiracy and charges of falsifying records.
Jerome O'Hara and George Perez are accused of helping develop computer programs that could generate false paperwork. Madoff's $65 billion dollar scheme involved sending thousands of clients fake reports and also providing regulators with false information.
O'Hara, 47, of Melverne, NY and Perez, 44, of East Brunswick, NJ answered to Madoff and Frank DiPascali Jr. - a longtime Madoff employee and friend. Both computer programmers had been arrested on a criminal complaint in November.
Both men began working at the Madoff in the early 1990's and face up to 30 years in prison if convicted.
The FBI said O'Hara and Perez created documents meant to fool investigators from the Securities and Exchange Commission and a European accounting firm that was reviewing Madoff's firms work.
Prosecutors have said Madoff never traded any of the money investors gave him. Instead he pocketed some of the cash to support his and his family's lavish lifestyle.
Meanwhile, Madoff's brother and sons on Wednesday said they want complaints filed against them in bankruptcy court thrown out.
