A more extreme loss is the loss of life. Thierry de la Villehuchet, the French
aristocrat who refused to believe Casey or Markopolos’ theory that Bernie operated
a Ponzi scheme, lost $1.5 billion. This included his personal fortune along with
substantial funds from European royalty and aristocrats. On December 22, 2008,
unable to pay his 28 employees or offi ce rent, Villehuchet committed suicide in his
downtown Manhattan offi ce.