Bernie Madoff’s Ex-Secretary May Testify at NYC Trial

NEW YORK (AP) — Bernard Madoff's longtime secretary may testify on her own behalf at the New York City trial of five former employees of the Ponzi king.

The defense presentation of the secretary, Annette Bongiorno (bahn-JAWR'-noh), is expected to begin Monday.

Her lawyer informed the judge over the weekend that she has planned to testify but could still change her mind.

This phase of the trial follows several days of testimony by another defendant, Madoff's former head of operations.

The defendants are accused of assisting Madoff in a fraud that cheated thousands of investors out of nearly $20 billion.

The defendants say they were duped along with investors as Madoff operated the historic fraud for decades.

Madoff is serving a 150-year prison sentence.