On April 6, 2009, the New York attorney general Mario Cuomo charged Merkin with civil fraud, alleging that he ignored "glaring red flags" while "profiting enormously" by directing investors in his Ascot Partners hedge fund to buy into the Ponzi scheme of Bernard Madoff.Los Angeles Times: New York charges Madoff 'feeder' Ezra Merkin with fraud (April 6, 2009)

1. Name: J. Ezra Merkin
2. Education: Columbia University and Harvard Law SchoolBloomberg: Cuomo Sues Merkin for Shifting $2.4 Billion to Madoff (April 6, 2009)
3. Chairman of the GMAC Financial Services
4. Founder of the Ascot Partners hedge fundNew York Times: For Investors, Trust Lost... (December 12, 2008)
5. Ascot Partners lost approximately $1.8 billion in Bernard Madoff's Ponzi schemeSeeking Alpha: Ponzi vs. Ponzi (December 15, 2008)
6. Merkin secretly placed $2.4 billion of client funds into Madoff's handsBloomberg: Cuomo Sues Merkin for Shifting $2.4 Billion to Madoff (April 6, 2009)
7. Merkin earned $470 million in management and incentive fees from MadoffLos Angeles Times: New York charges Madoff 'feeder' Ezra Merkin with fraud (April 6, 2009)
8. Merkin sent a letter describing the loss to clients on December 11, 2008New York Times: For Investors, Trust Lost... (December 12, 2008)
9. Merkin now facing suits from Madoff victims New York University and Mort ZuckermanLos Angeles Times: New York charges Madoff 'feeder' Ezra Merkin with fraud (April 6, 2009)

• Carnegie Hall: Trustee
• Gabriel Capital Group: Managing Partner
• GMAC Financial Services: Chairman
• UJA Federation of New York: Board member
• Yeshiva University: TrusteeMuckety: Ezra Merkin relationship map