NEW YORK — MF Global’s shortfall in U.S. segregated customer accounts may exceed $1.2 billion, more than double what was previously expected, said the trustee overseeing a liquidation of the failed brokerage run by former New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine.
That would mean customer accounts are missing about 22 percent of their total of $5.4 billion. A shortfall of 11 percent had been previously estimated by a person with knowledge of probes into the firm’s collapse. James Giddens, the trustee, said Monday that forensic accountants and investigators are working “around the clock,” and the estimate may change.
“Our goal is still a 100 percent return, and right now we’re very close to 60 percent,” said Kent Jarrell, a spokesman for the trustee. “If we continue to recover more, that will determine how much more we can distribute.”
Jarrell said the $1.2 billion estimate came from the team of accountants and investigators, who met with the trustee Sunday night, prompting him to publish the revised figure. He declined to comment on whether there was news as to who was responsible for the funds or how they were withdrawn or used, citing ongoing investigations from the Department of Justice and other agencies.
Giddens said Monday that distributing 60 percent of what should have been in commodity customers’ accounts, already underway, will take $1.3 billion to $1.6 billion, or almost all of the assets he has within his control. While he expects the transfer will occur in early December, he doesn’t have access to funds beyond $1.6 billion, he said in a statement.
