U.S. To File New Criminal Charges Against Madoff

Madoff`s lawyers were not immediately available to comment.

 U.S. prosecutors will file a criminal "information" in their case against accused swindler Bernard Madoff if he waives an indictment, a court document said on Friday.

The filing indicates that prosecutors will file new charges against Madoff, arrested and charged with one count of securities fraud last Dec. 11 after authorities said he confessed to a $50 billion Ponzi scheme over many years.

"Please take notice that the United States Attorney's Office will file an information upon the defendant's waiver of an indictment," the document in U.S. District Court in Manhattan said.

Madoff's lawyers were not immediately available to comment.

There was no indication when the new charges would be filed, but prosecutors had until March 13 to indict Madoff on expanded charges or reach a plea agreement.