Investigators found 100 signed checks worth $173 million in Bernie’s desk that apparently were ready to be sent to family members and friends on the day of his arrest. Prosecutors say it's another reason why the guy needs to be kept in jail. From the NYT:

“What the defendant failed to highlight for the court in his rendition of events is the fact that, prior to his arrest, he announced his intention to transfer $200-$300 million of the remaining investor’s assets to selected family, friends and employees,” Assistant United States Attorney Marc Litt said in the filing. “The only thing that prevented the defendant from executing the plan to dissipate those assets was his arrest by the F.B.I. on Dec. 11,” Mr. Litt writes.

All this comes on top of news that Madoff mailed valuable jewelry and watches to relatives and friends shortly after his arrest. He's currently out on $10 million bail, but confined to his NY apartment.