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Donation dropped, along with Bienes name

At Holy Cross Hospital, the Michael and Dianne Bienes Diagnostic Imaging Center no longer carries the Bienes name.

Because the money from Bienes, who says he lost millions in the Bernard Madoff scheme, has stopped.

Bienes was one of the best-known philanthropists in Broward County, with his name and his wife's name plastered across buildings and rooms at Broward's main library, schools and at Holy Cross. There's a Bienes Cancer Center there, too. That will retain his name, presumably because it's paid for.

Bienes and partner Frank Avellino ran one of the major feeder funds that sent money from investors to Madoff. The SEC shut their operation down in 1992, but Bienes says he continued to invest his own money with Madoff, adding more to his account as recently as 2007.

When Madoff was arrested, Bienes said he lost millions.

Here's part of the statement from Holy Cross spokeswoman Christine Walker Moncrieff:

Due to circumstances beyond their control, the Bieneses are unable to meet their pledge to the Diagnostic Imaging Center at Holy Cross Hospital. Therefore, we will no longer be able to use their name for the Diagnostic Imaging Center. We remain extremely grateful to the Bieneses for the favor they have shown Holy Cross Hospital and many other community organizations over the years.

Bienes pledged $4 million in 2005 to the Michael and Dianne Bienes Diagnostic Imaging Center at Holy Cross. The center opened two years later, but Bienes said he paid only part of the pledge.

Holy Cross's Moncrieff said the loss of the Bienes money will not affect patient care or services at the center.

POSTED IN: Madoff (12)

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