Judge keeps Madoff assets secure for forfeiture

The government won a battle Monday in its effort to maintain control over Bernard Madoff's assets when a judge protected the assets from being disturbed by investors seeking to force the jailed financier into personal bankruptcy.

U.S. District Judge Denny Chin signed a restraining order preventing more than $100 million in personal assets from being moved, sold or dissipated.

Chin said the order was necessary because there is probable cause to believe the property would be subject to forfeiture to the U.S. government because of crimes committed by Madoff.

Madoff pleaded guilty to fraud charges last month before Chin, who is scheduled to sentence …