As the rest of America’s women go 1-800-Flower-less and Godiva-less this Valentine’s Day, it seems that Ruth Madoff made off with an early Valentine’s gift from her sweetie. Days before her husband’s surrender, Mrs. Madoff withdrew over $15 million.  And that’s what we know about!

The Madoffs: Sweethearts or modern-day Bonnie & Clyde?

Who knew Bernie was such a romantic?  If only I could land a man so caring about my financial future.  Instead I trusted all those Wall Street bad boys with my money and my heart. But I digress. Mrs. Madoff is certainly no victim and, at worst, a potential co-conspirator.  She now faces possible criminal charges as the investigation into the world’s largest Ponzi scheme forges ahead.

Meanwhile few Americans sympathize with Madoff’s true victims, who conjure up images of tv shows like Dynasty and Dirty, Sexy Money.

To those folks I share a story I heard over dinner last night that will break your heart. My Nantucket insider told of a loyal Bulgarian housekeeper who entrusted her family’s life savings ($200K) with her employer.  She had the misfortune of cleaning the home of former Madoff employee Frank Avelino, an accountant who delivered investors to Mr. Madoff since the 1960s.

Who would have thunk it? An immigrant maid gains entry to one of the most exclusive clubs on Nantucket …and quite possibly the planet!