The latest craze to the hit the U.S. toy market is a doll really meant for adults, particularly those who were left jobless by the recent multi-billion-dollar ponzi scam by financier Bernie Madoff.
Madoff, a former chairman of the NASDAQ stock exchange, was arrested on December 11 after allegedly confessing to his sons that he had defrauded his investors out of $50 billion.
Meet the “Smash-Me-Bernie” doll, which made its debut at the industry's American International Toy Fair, which continues through Wednesday in New York City.
The doll, produced by Phoenix, Arizona-based Mini-Me ModelWorks, costs a whopping $99.95 – not surprising, given the high price tag attached to the flamboyant personality it was meant to represent.
The doll is also conveniently dressed in a “devil red” suit, complete with pitchfork, so there’s no mistaking the Bad Guy identity.
Smash-Me-Bernie also comes equipped with his own hammer, so the new owner can beat him to death.
A second Madoff doll with similar qualities, but an even higher price tag, has also been produced. Connecticut toymaker Emil Vicale custom manufactures patriotic “hero” and politically incorrect “villain” figures in his home workshop.
The “limited edition” Madoff doll, which retails for $149.99, features a fistful of $100 bills (yes, they are FAKE) and a luxury wristwatch painted with real 24-karat gold leaf.
Wearing a formal black suit, white shirt and black tie, Vicale’s Madoff figure comes with a white handkerchief properly tucked into the breast pocket of his jacket. Only 250 will be produced.
Numerous institutions who had invested their funds with Madoff’s firm were forced to make drastic cuts in their budgets, and in some cases slash staffing levels as well. Among them is Yeshiva University, where adjunct faculty has been cut back and a number of long-time faculty members offered early retirement packages. His scheme caused the collapse of a number of charitable foundations.
A full list of those who had invested with the disgraced financier on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean ran 162 pages. According to The Telegraph, included on the roster were CNN star interviewer Larry King, real estate magnate Larry Silverstein, currently working on a project to rebuild the World Trade Center in New York, New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg, a trust belonging to the family of former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and Sandy Koufax, one of the most famous American baseball pitchers ever to stand on the mound.
Also named in the court papers were many banks, including Citigroup, Bank of America and Duetsche Bank.