Stephen Harbeck

After hailing Bernard Madoff's 150-year prison sentence, some of his former investment clients intensified criticism of what they termed an equally tough adversary — the government systems charged with stopping financial scam artists and reimbursing its victims.

About 20 ex-clients who together lost millions to Madoff said they have been victimized by inadequate oversight before the fraud collapsed in December and questionable decisions and slowness in the ensuing repayment process.