Israel to judge: I really tried to kill myself

Israel to judge: I really tried to kill myself Andrew Coen One day after turning himself into authorities, former hedge fund manager Samuel Israel told a judge today he tried to commit suicide two days ago, Bloomberg reported. Mr. Israel jumped bail and tried to make it appear as if he had committed suicide last month to avoid a 20-year prison term. The founder of Stamford, Conn.-based Bayou Group LLC told U.S. District Court Judge Colleen McMahon in Manhattan that he tried to overdose on drugs but was unsuccessful in the suicide attempt, Bloomberg said. The former hedge fund manager surrendered to police in Southwick, Mass. yesterday after 23 days on the run (InvestmentNews July 2). He now faces an additional 10 years in prison for bail jumping on top of the 20 years to which he was already sentenced in April. He pleaded guilty in September 2005 to charges of conspiracy and fraud in connection with a scheme to cheat Bayou Group investors out of $450 million and has been ordered to pay $300 million to his victims.