Bernard Madoff had 100 signed checks worth $173 million in his office desk and was ready to send them to family members last month, prosecutors said, Thursday.

The detail was noted in a court filing Thursday as attorneys argue that the financier should be sent to jail after revoking his bail, according to the Associated Press The attorneys said the checks were evidence that Madoff wanted to keep assets away from investors.

Madoff has been accused a fraud by perpetrating a Ponzi scheme through his securities company. He is currently under house arrest at his Manhattan penthouse.

Defense lawyers say Madoff should not be jailed because he is not a risk to flee or a danger to his community.

The investigators said he was preparing to give out more than $200 million to family members after realizing his scheme had been discovered, according to AP.

Attorneys have also accused him of sending more than $1million worth of jewelry to friends and family after his arrest on December 11.