Official: Madoff's wife took $15M before husband's arrest

BOSTON -- A Massachusetts state official says the wife of disgraced money manager Bernard Madoff withdrew $15 million from a firm co-owned by her husband, including $10 million on the day before his arrest.

Secretary of State William Galvin says Ruth Madoff withdrew the money in two steps from Cohmad Securities, which is co-owned by Madoff.

Galvin said she made withdrawals Nov. 25 and Dec. 10 — the day before Madoff turned himself in to face allegations that he swindled billions from investors. Galvin cited reports produced by Cohmad as proof of the withdrawals.

Galvin is trying to stop Cohmad from doing business in Massachusetts because of its relationship with Madoff.

A telephone number listed to Ruth Madoff in Palm Beach, Florida, rang busy and a number in New York had been disconnected.