A defense lawyer for Bernard Madoff, the former Wall Street investor who oversaw a $65 billion dollar securities fraud, has asked that a judge sentence him to 12 years in prison. Lawyer Ira Lee Sorkin asked the court not to give in to a desire for “mob vengeance” of many investors who lost their life savings in the scandal.

Madoff faces a maximum prison sentence of 150 years on 11 charges of fraud. Legal experts say Madoff will likely face 20 or more years in prison for his crimes.