Cheated investors want day in court

At least 25 investors who trusted their money to Bernard Madoff are asking to speak at today's hearing at which Madoff is expected to plead guilty to one of the biggest financial frauds in history.

Federal prosecutors said in a letter to US District Judge Denny Chin that they had received 78 e-mails in response to an order from Chin notifying investors of their right to be heard at any plea or sentencing hearings for the 70-year-old former NASDAQ chairman.

Chin invited victims to address the court after prosecutors submitted papers noting that crime victims have the right to be "reasonably heard at any public proceeding in the district court involving release, plea, sentencing, or any parole proceeding".