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The world of bail bonds can be a fascinating one, with some cases involving truly massive sums of money. In this list, we'll take a look at eleven of the largest bail bonds ever posted in history.
1. Robert Durst - $3 billion
In 2016, real estate heir Robert Durst was arrested in Louisiana on charges of first-degree murder in the death of his friend Susan Berman. The judge set his bail at a massive $3 billion, one of the largest bail bonds ever recorded.
Durst's defense team argued that the bail was excessive and would effectively keep him in jail until trial. Eventually, the bail was reduced to $5 million and Durst was released on bond.
Durst was ultimately convicted of murder and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He spent the rest of his life in prison and passed away in 2022 at the age of 78.
2. Kim Dotcom - $1 billion
In 2021, the technology entrepreneur and founder of the popular pirating website Megaupload, Kim Dotcom, was arrested on charges of fraud and embezzlement in connection with a multi-billion dollar Ponzi scheme.
The judge set Freeman's bail at $1 billion, one of the largest bail bonds ever recorded.
Freeman's defense team argued that the bail was excessive and would effectively keep her in jail until trial. Eventually, the bail was reduced to $10 million and Freeman was released on bond.
He served a two-year suspended sentence and currently resides in New Zealand.
3. Jeffrey Epstein - $100 million
In July 2019, wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein was arrested on charges of sex trafficking minors. He was granted bail, but with a whopping $100 million bond, one of the largest ever recorded.
Epstein was required to put up a $77 million collateral, including his $56 million mansion in New York City, to secure the bond.
Epstein died in his jail cell in August 2019, before his trial could take place.
4. Raj Rajaratnam - $100 million
In 2009, hedge fund manager Raj Rajaratnam was arrested on insider trading charges.
He was granted bail with a $100 million bond, one of the largest in U.S. history at the time. The bond was secured by $20 million in cash and $80 million in assets, including a Manhattan penthouse and a Rhode Island mansion.
Rajaratnam was eventually convicted and sentenced to 11 years in prison, of which he served 7 years.
5. R. Allen Stanford - $100 million
In 2009, Texas financier R. Allen Stanford was arrested on charges of running a massive, $8 billion Ponzi scheme.
He was granted bail with a $100 million bond, one of the largest ever recorded.
The bond was secured by $100 million in assets, including a yacht and several properties in the U.S. and Antigua. Stanford was eventually convicted and sentenced to 110 years in prison.
6. Bernard Madoff - $10 million
In 2008, investment advisor Bernard Madoff was arrested for running the largest known ponzi scheme in history, worth approximately $65 billion.
He was granted bail with a $10 million bond, one of the largest ever recorded at the time. The bond was secured by $10 million in assets, including a New York City penthouse and several properties in Florida and New York.
Madoff was eventually convicted and sentenced to 150 years in prison.
7. Michael Jackson - $3 million
In 2003, pop star Michael Jackson was arrested on charges of child molestation.
He was granted bail with a $3 million bond, one of the largest ever recorded at the time. The bond was secured by several properties in California. Jackson was eventually acquitted of all charges.
Jackson passed away in 2009 at the age of 50 from a lethal amount of anesthetic administered by his personal physician.
8. Phil Spector - $1 million
In 2003, legendary music producer Phil Spector was arrested for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson.
He was granted bail with a $1 million bond, one of the largest ever recorded at the time. The bond was secured by $1 million in assets, including several properties in California.
Spector was eventually convicted and sentenced to 19 years to life in prison.
He passed away in prison in 2021 at the age of 81.
9. Wesley Snipes - $1 million
In 2006, actor Wesley Snipes was arrested on charges of tax evasion.
He was granted bail with a $1 million bond, one of the largest ever recorded at the time. The bond was secured by several properties in Florida.
Snipes was eventually convicted and sentenced to three years in prison.
10. O.J. Simpson - $250,000
In 1994, former NFL star O.J. Simpson was arrested for the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.
He was granted bail with a $250,000 bond, one of the largest ever recorded at the time. The bond was secured by Simpson's Brentwood, California mansion.
Simpson was eventually acquitted in a criminal trial, but found liable for the deaths in a civil trial.
11. Martha Stewart - $250,000
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In 2003, business magnate Martha Stewart was arrested on charges of insider trading.
She was granted bail with a $250,000 bond, one of the largest ever recorded at the time.
The bond was secured by several properties in New York.
Stewart was eventually convicted and sentenced to five months in prison.
These eleven cases demonstrate the wide range of individuals who may be required to post large bail bonds, from wealthy financers to celebrities to business magnates. The size of the bond often reflects the perceived flight risk of the defendant and the potential threat they may pose to the community if released. Despite their high cost, bail bonds can provide a way for defendants to secure their release while awaiting trial, and can be a lifesaver for those who may otherwise be unable to afford to stay out of jail.
Bail bonds can be a crucial aspect of the criminal justice system, allowing defendants to secure their release while awaiting trial. While the size of bail bonds can vary greatly, these 11 cases demonstrate that even some of the wealthiest and most powerful individuals can be required to post massive sums to secure their release.