Frank DiPascali, associate of Bernie Madoff, dies of lung cancer.

Frank DiPascali, the top lieutenant to Bernie Madoff who helped carry out a massive Ponzi scheme and then informed on his colleagues and testified for the government at a high-profile trial, has died.

DiPascali, 58, who lived in New Jersey, died Thursday of lung cancer, according to a statement released by his lawyer, Manhattan-based Marc Mukasey,

"He was grateful to have been able to make some amends by helping the government these past few years," Mukasey said of DiPascali. "Please respect the family's privacy. There will be no further comment."

DiPascali pleaded guilty to crimes relating to the Madoff fraud in 2009, and was the star witness at the trial of five Madoff aides that led to convictions last year although defense attorneys denounced him as a liar and prime facilitator of the fraud.

DiPascali had been free pending his sentencing, which in late April was postponed from June until September.

A spokesman for Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, whose office oversaw the Madoff prosecution and negotiated a cooperation deal with DiPascali, declined to comment.

DiPascali's death was first reported on the Forbes magazine website.

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