Inside the Rothstein Swindle, Part II
Once Scott Rothstein explained the concept of buying secret settlement deals (see Part I), he explained just how big these deals could be and how much money could be involved in them.
To illustrate, he told his prospective investor about the giant Eli Lilly pharmaceutical case. The beauty of that was it was real -- the company settled with plaintiffs and the federal government for $1.42 billion -- and a real Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler attorney, Gary Farmer, was a named lawyer in the case. Efforts to reach Farmer have been unsuccessful.
The Eli Lilly case, which involved several whistleblowers from inside the company, was one of the largest qui tam cases in history. In that case, Eli whistleblowers went to the fed with unlawful practices regarding the marketing and sales of an anti-psychotic medication called Zyprexa. The federal government took the case and distributed the giant settlement among the whistleblowers -- and their attorneys, of course.
The investor said Rothstein called the Eli Lilly case the "best luck of
his life."
Then Rothstein said he had another Eli Lilly-like case in the making, only it was all being done confidentially prior to any lawsuit being filed. It was so confidential that he couldn't name the company and told the investor that, in fact, he shouldn't even speak of its existence at all.
But it was a big case involving a major company and a government contract. The product it was selling wasn't up to standard, and Rothstein had proof of it. Not only that, but the company actively covered up that fact, and the fraud and/or cover-up went all the way up to the president of the company.
Rothstein said he represented the chief witness in the case -- known as the "relator" -- and numerous other whistleblowers. He said the had negotiated settlements, and those were what he was selling that day.
The point was raised that this seemed like legal extortion.
"That's not what I'm doing, and that would be unethical," Rothstein told him.
Rothstein went on to say that the company in question realized it had a big problem not only with the whistleblowers but with the government. He said the company wanted to settle with the whistleblowers out of court before moving forward in the process with the government. He said that not only was it not extortion but that the firm didn't even have an adversarial relationship with the company.
The deal would be that the investor would buy whistleblower settlements that would add up to a figure in the single-digit millions of dollars. The profit turnaround was enormous -- roughly 60 percent in a short period of time. Of course, it would be completely secret; the investor would never know the name of the company or the whistleblower.
"If I wanted to screw you, I could screw you," Rothstein said. "If you don't trust me, you shouldn't do this deal."
But he also told the investor there was a solid fallback -- TD Bank Regional Vice President Frank Spinosa would confirm the deal. The settlement money would go through a trust account at TD Bank that would be accessible only to the investor at the appropriate time.
"Before you fund, we're going to be on the phone and we're going to call Frank Spinosa, who is going to confirm that the money from the defendant has been wired into a locked account," Rothstein said.
Soon thereafter, the meeting ended. David Boden led them out of the office and said he would follow up with all questions and hammer out the contract.
Now it was time for due diligence.
[Part III, dealing with the actual structure of the deal and who at RRA was involved, will be published tomorrow].
164 comment(s) / Post a Comment
Still thinking the TD docs are forgeries. I cannot see a bank rep going along with this nonsense.
This is really fascinating. My billable hours SUCK because of SR. I wonder if he would lend me some money.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 3:19PMInfo King says:
Word around town is that a very disgruntled Computer Hardware tech and employee at the firm has loads of emails and account info dating back two years stored that was brought to the FBI. I think it would be great to know someone who was treated like crap brought this ass down.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 3:21PM
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 3:30PMsoflalawyer says:
Still thinking the TD docs are forgeries. I cannot see a bank rep going along with this nonsense.
This is really fascinating. My billable hours SUCK because of SR. I wonder if he would lend me some money.
Hilarious! Mine too- this is so fascinating!
Bob Norman- you are damn good at your job. This is like old school reporting- a sleuth and a truth-seeker you are.
Eli Lilly sells a drug {ZYPREXA} that can cause diabetes and then turn a profit on the drugs that treat the condition that they may have caused in the first place!
Eli Lilly has made $38 billion on Zyprexa and it was way oversold and caused diabetes and in some cases sudden death.
Eli Lilly has received a huge criminal fine over their Zyprexa cash cow,add it all up comes to $4.6 billion, in Zyprexa settlements,fines,litigation.
Did you know that Lilly made $ billions last year on diabetic meds, Actos,Humulin and Byetta?
Yes! They sell a drug that can cause diabetes and then turn a profit on the drugs that treat the condition that they may have caused in the first place!
----
Daniel Haszard
Good thing Part 3 is tomorrow. I have to get back to work or I'm going to be standing in the unemployment line with Kim Rothstein and Charlie Crist.
Bob Norman, Bravo!
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 3:39PMEveryone around town had that "gut feeling" that something just wasn't right about this guy. Too bad greed got the best of several people, inluding many attorneys that left reputable law firms to go work for this thief. The ramifcations of his criminal activities will undoubtedly impact several of our very own nonprofits that are working hard to help our neighbors in these difficult times. I am shocked at his lack of shame...to be seen around town enjoying martini's, steaks and smoking cigars. He should be publicly shamed into staying at home!
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 3:46PMWHY is Bova Prime still open as a hangout for his lawyers??
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 3:50PMTomorrow, Tomorrow the TRUTH about the RothScum will come out Tomorrow!!
Can't wait!
Go get um Pulpmeister!!
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 3:53PMI don't doubt that many attorneys may have left reputable firms to work for SR. I can only imagine that not all of the SR attorneys are crooks or scum. But, I do know that many attorneys asked to join the firm were not asked to do so for their deft legal acumen. Rather, it was because of some relationship (son, nephew, step son, etc.) -- and I'm talking familial relationship -- to someone in a position of political power. So really, many of the attorneys there were flunkies, whose purposes were to open doors of access (or mitigate some sort of risks).
By the way, Mr Haszard: that was a fascinating read of something I was not fully aware. How horrid and disgusting Eli Lilly's actions were. Thanks for posting it.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 3:55PMif you do not get a Pulitzer for your reporting, the judge's are seriously damaged. The sun-sentinel cannot keep up!
Scott Rothstein will have an insanity defense, i am sure...with his sewer mouth?? The DREAM LOVER DEFENSE (starring James Spader)_
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 3:56PMI've told anyone who would listen the past 10 years that Bob Norman was the best investigative journalist in S. Fl.
Not only does he find the dirt, he makes it worthy of one's time to read.
I hope your compensation package is dependent on page hits Bob.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 4:03PMTo be clear, Mr. Farmer was with his previous law firm, Freedland, Farmer & Russo when he worked the Eli Lily case, and only the settlement came after he moved to RRA. To my knowledge, RRA never worked on the Lily case. Shame on the investors...a simple Google search would probably have turned that up.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 4:05PMOnce again, the same theme or life lessons apply. 1) Why the "F" would these investors risk large sums of money in an investment which was based primarily on trusting someone who they didn't know, namely Rothstein? 2) Why the "F" do these rich businessmen need to make 60% on their money?
I have little sympathy for the investors. All this proves is how so many affluent people are as dumb as a rock.
I salute Bob Norman for being the first journalist to shed light on this fraud well over a year ago. Why would a real journalist want to work for the corporate media? ie: Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald, where as Bob has so eloquently articlulated, they often ignore the crimes of the local affluent crowd.
Real journalism, whether on a local or national level, is found on the internet.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 4:06PMCredit to Don Henley's Sunset Grill....I've changed it to Bova Prime...and played with the lyrics:
Let's go down to the Bova Prime
We can watch the plastic girls go by
Watch the lawyers walk around and mumble
And stare out at the auburn sky
There's a young girl there from the nuvo riche World
To her, it's all the same
Calls all her customers by name
Down at the Bova Prime
Down at the Bova Prime
Down at the Bova Prime
Down at the Bova Prime
You see a lot more scandal in the city
It's the kind that eats you up inside
Hard to come away with anything that feels
like dignity
Hard to get home with any pride
These days a man makes you somethin'
And you never see his face
But there is no hiding place
Down at the Bova Prime
Down at the Bova Prime
Down at the Bova Prime
Down at the Bova Prime
Respectable little murders pay
They get more respectable every day
Don't worry girl, I'm gonna stick by you
And someday soon we're gonna get in that
car and get outta here
Let's go down to the Bova Prime
Watch the politicos walking by
Watch the "hanger ons" walk around and mumble
And gaze out at the auburn sky
Maybe we'll leave come fall time
Meanwhile, have another martini
What would we do without these jerks anyway?
Besides, all our friends are here
Down at the Bova Prime
Down at the Bova Prime
Down at the Bova Prime
Down at the Bova Prime
Google is Great!
Pulpmeister speaking Truth unto Power!!
This is a 21st Century David and Goliath story.
In the midst of Sodom and Gomorrah!
Go get um!!
The FACT RatSchmuck would actually call him and threaten him is telling in and of itself how threatened the Ponzi Putz is and was by the Pulpmeiester!
RRA had absolutely nothing to do with the Eli Lilly case.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 4:12PMRRA attorney Shawn Birken.....son of Circuit Court Judge Arthur Birken
RRA attorney Martin Dishowitz.....son of County Court Judge Dishowitz
RRA attorney Bill Berger (aka Sergeant Schultz..."I know NOTHING").......former incompetent Circuit Court Judge
RRA attorney Steve Abrams......former mayor of Boca and sitting Palm beach County Commissioner
RRA "consultant" Ken Jenne......disgraced former Sheriff
RRA attorney Grant Smith......son of disgraced former Congressman Larry Smith
RRA attorney Les Stracher.....former legal counsel for the Morse Auto Group (Scotty's best friends)
RRA consultant Roger Stone....the original one man dirty tricks squad for Richard Nixon
Did I miss anyone here?
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 4:12PMapparently Scott Rothstein had quite a performance problem with the now infamous COCKtail waitress.
kimmi was faithful by all indications....she was not screwing off duty or on duty officers.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 4:14PMyes you missed someone.
Brad Edwards...son of a man who spawned Brad Edwards...bottom feeder
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 4:17PMWhen is Jeffrey Ostrow's name going to be dragged into this. That short redhead sum--beach usually is found in "shady" areas.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 4:19PMFaithful to the Fraud and the $$.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 4:23PMDidn't they say there are about 70 Attorneys in the firm?
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 4:26PMWhoever handles TD Bank's marketing and advertising should be fired. Although the commercials with Regis and his sidekick are cute,(although not convincing to bank with TD!)they should have been pulled from the local market as soon as their name of implicated in the Rothstein scandal!
This story has yet to go national but I did see a fun article in the New York Observer about it....Doug Von Allmen, a big investor with SR, just put his NY pad on the market for $18.45 million...but according to Von Allmen, his lifestyle will not change a bit!
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 4:40PMI am actually obsessed with this disgraceful sham. Please keep the updates coming; you're the only one following the important details (specifically the Law Enforcement involvement). Why were Ft Lauderdale Police surrounding the BofA building on Nov. 4th?
@beth - Dream Lover is an excellent movie and nice reference!
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 4:45PMBob Norman, YOU are a hero! You have been relentless in uncovering much of what was talked about in the courthouse, on the streets, in the restaurants, behind closed doors, et al., over the past few years. When he came after you ("Jewish Avenger") a lot of us cringed and shook are heads. He was becoming a larger than life cartoon character and you were there taking the brunt of the Wile E. Coyote's wrath. Well now you are wreaking havoc ... legally, professionally and ethically. Bravo! DO NOT STOP!!!!!
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 4:46PMHe is full of shit. His lifestyle was such that he needed to invest at his age STILL!!
That is telling.
Von Allmen dumped $100 Million into this Ponzi scheme
Anyone that says his lifestyle will not change much and he will continue to eat out at restaurants every night is a loser.
Who would put up their Condo in Manhattan for sale in this market unless you needed the $$$$$....
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 4:46PMTo "Legacies" 4:12 pm
Yes you missed:
Judge Holms' daughter who use to work for the FBI in Chicago work in the international division
Howard Schinberg former ASA
Ken Padowitz former ASA who resigned from (RRA) in August to open his own practice.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 4:48PMBob,
Trust me, you're going to hit a dead end when you follow the TD Bank/Frank Spinosa trail. By now you've probably heard about Spinosa's character.
Rothstein threw Spinosa's name around for credibility and now the burned investors are doing the same for TD's deep pockets.
Trust me.
Bob Norman, thank you for the excellent job you do as an investigative journalist and to the commenters who clarify or add their (inside) knowledge to the story. BTW, just saw "Outrage" and you did a great job there too.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 4:50PMThey are all disgusting! Gary Farmer left a B Card on my wife's car with a note to call him less than two days after the FBI raid. She has never met him, he parks on a different floor - he finally called her in her office, he was trying invite her to have dinner with him, wanted to pick her up in the middle of all of this! Talk about ego! He had to have been watching her to know what she drives and where she parks - disgusting stalker. Is he married? Who else has he been stalking?
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 4:51PMIf in fact he had a video voice recorder in his office ...the Feds came in and seized that. Everything they told investors would be on tape along with using the name of TD Bank and supposedly calling to confirm the $ in the bank...
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 4:53PMThis just in .
Reuters , Washington D.C. November.17 :
An interagency federal task force to crack down on fraud and other financial crimes was created today under an executive order issued by President Barack Obama.
The Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force will be headed by the Justice Department and will include representatives from more than 20 other federal agencies, including the Labor and Treasury departments.
The task force, among other duties, will advise the Justice Department on cases involving financial crimes, including the Scott E. Rothstein case.
Christy in a Pt. I thread asked if there was a family relationship with Arnold Rothstein-- the flapper era gambler that fixed the World Series in 1919 and ended up dead after a poker game in 1928.
No direct connection is detectable. Arnold was the middle son, married a raised-Catholic half Jewish woman (Carolyn) and died without an heir. He had mistresses but didn't adopt any children. His married life was unhappy according to several bios.
His younger brother "Jack Rothstone" changed his name to avoid stigma-- but seemed to be involved in some unsavory activities himself. He married twice, but I can't find children mentioned. The Arnold Rothstein estate was executed by his brother after the murder, and was reported as insolvent by 1936.
The oldest brother was named Bertram and died young.
Those Facebook friends of Harvey and Gay Rothstein with a Rothstein surname don't seem to lead back to any names associated with the immediate Arnold Rothstein family-- though that would require a 3 generation jump.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 4:57PMYou couldn't dream up better stuff than this made for TV material. Cheers and good luck to Bob. The big-wig publishers should be calling soon.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 5:02PMGood work Pan....puts an end to that possible connection and further questions being posted...
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 5:03PM@white house plumber
agree that TD is probably a deadend...but afterall they are the only one in this mess that has capital...guess the "burned" SR investors will throw a hook at TD to see what ($) they can reel in...
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 5:06PMThey won't have a case against TD Bank if that is not where the $$ was....if they just used their name in the ponzi pitch...
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 5:10PMPart I said that the investors' lawyers were reviewing the agreements. Who were these incompetents? Hope their malpractice insurance was paid up.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 5:10PMSo I did a little research Debra Villegas AKA Debra Taylor AKA Debra Baker.
Im not sure whats up with SR's "we've been friends 20 years". From 1987-1995 she lived in Cocoa, Rockledge, and Oak Hill. None of those addresses are near UF or Nova Law. I have to doubt their 20 year "Friendship" Since she didnt even live here at the time. Her 1994 wedding was in Port St. John. Brevard County. At any rate I have researched back to 87 and she didnt live down here til 95. And to settle a little theory of mine about crime and Hialeah... she lived there for a few years 03-06
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 5:11PMDude - Enough of the Don Henley lyrics. How many more times do you need to post the same thing?
No one comments on it... that should tell you something. Leave the writing to Bob...
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 5:14PMlife in the fast lane..........
life in the fast lane....oh yea
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 5:16PMI wont post her DOB but she was born in 67. She was 20 when she lived in Brevard County.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 5:19PMHe gave Don Hennley's charity 100K. I agree about the poster posting the same lyrics on every blog article....Hennley gave a shout out to Scum and Kimmiee at a concert recently for their anniversary...Hennley prob regrets it now.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 5:22PMI'm mystified that the national media have not picked up on this fascinating story yet but found it intriguing that the folks in Des Moines , Iowa are being kept informed by a rather impressive blog :
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 5:22PMWeren't all the Attorneys humiliated that she would have COO status and that much control of a that large of a law firm?
She had to be his Dominatrix behind the scenes....
There is a sex scene relationship involved here..there has to be....
most jewish men have a Domme in the closet....behind their wives backs....they want to be spanked f-cked in the ass yet they don't want their wives to know....
this is very common
Doctors, Attorneys, CEO's and the older they get the more submissive in their need to be sexually Dominated
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 5:26PMAn observation about the gambling angle.
A> One of the Venezuelan clients who made the involuntary bankruptcy claim googles up a as mid-stakes poker player.
B> Rothstein and Roger Stone seemed to have tied up over Seminole Casino/Trump gambling interests.
C>Sol Kerzner's name has surfaced a couple of times.
Any other linkages?
John Gotti Jr got out of prison in 2005... Mob ties????
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 5:30PMTo Godfather 3 @5.19 pm
I appreciate the research into DV and all the other names she goes by but wondering if you have the right person. The Sun Sentinel (true , not the best source that's ever been ever quoted) had a detailed piece on her when her ex was arrested for the murder of Melissa Lewis last year. It says there that she was married in 1993 and gives some detailed background info on her :
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/yearinreview/sfl-review-lawyer-killed-316,0,2199887.story
Cheers
Charley Varrick (last of the independents)
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 5:33PMTo the above post..reality check... lets see if this "Task Force" actually produces anything tangible, other than piss around and spout the usual politically correct bullshit that the world has to endure. The "Justice" dept. & cops in Florida people know are a joke. Only lawyers like lawyers, its a fraternity after all, look at the RRA poseurs. I wonder if any of this new gang will be any different. After all, give any Government a task and they will find a way to cock it all up, spending obscene amounts of taxpayer cash in the process. They move like molasses. So will they go after Crist the skinny weasel? Our legal system is nothing more than a giant gameshow called " Lets Make a Deal " which is exactly what Rothstein is doing now by ratting out whomever he can to save his own sad and sorry ass. The happy thought of playing "wife" to his cellmate must be a little disconcerting. Is he still wandering around town ?
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 5:34PMWhy haven't they suspended him based on an emergency suspension? According to FlaBar.org- he is still a member in good standing. This makes absolutely NO SENSE.
RULE 3-5.2 EMERGENCY SUSPENSION AND INTERIM PROBATION
RULE 3-5.2 EMERGENCY SUSPENSION AND INTERIM PROBATION
(a) Petition for Emergency Suspension. On petition of The Florida Bar, authorized by its president, president-elect, or executive director, supported by 1 or more affidavits demonstrating facts personally known to the affiants that, if unrebutted, would establish clearly and convincingly that an attorney appears to be causing great public harm, the Supreme Court of Florida may issue an order suspending said attorney on an emergency basis.
Thats why I dont read the Sun-Sentinel.
She was born 06/XX/1967 Her middles name is Ellen. She was born in Fl. Married 08/20/1994 by a notary in Port St John in Brevard County. Married to Tony Villegas 10/07/63. The Tony Villegas sitting in the Broward County Jail was born 10/7/63. I've got the right DV.
Their marriage license is available @ www.browardclerk.org license # ML-CE-1994-008398
Maybe the reporter was just repeating what she was told and didnt verify.
I'm not trying to sound like a d!ck. But I verify my facts before spouting.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 5:41PMShe is a Gemini just like the wanna be Jewish Avenger.....2 bi polar freaks on the same page...When I read where he says in the office email...20 yrs....I was trying to figgy that out as well.....
He moved to Fla at the age of 16...he is 47...so he met her at the age of 26sh....she was 22 yrs old?
What's the deal with Jewish men looking to be dominated? I have never heard that before- but it's hilarious.
The connection to the Lewis murder seems so intuitive.
Bob Norman- you are damn good. Thanks for the reading and the news. This is old fashioned investigative reporting. You get in there and get the goods and you never let him bully you. NO one has balls like that anymore. Nice job!
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 5:49PMYou never heard of this....do you recall Marv Albert the diaper wearing sports announcer engaged to be married?
RA firm represents a Madame/Domme as per another posting on the blog she suppodely makes 30k a month.....
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 5:52PMheard about town.....levin,preve,rosenfeldt,adler,boden,stracher,the hedge fund guys in new york, vonallman,villegas,a few judges, a dozen or so law enforcement types and a gaggle of politicians will all be taking the perp walk with little scotty rothstein. at least he wont be lonely.
also heard about town.....the "inner sanctum" defense used by most of rothsteins colleagues is bullshit....his office was only like that for about 5-6 months. the rest of the years preceeding his office was wide open to everyone as was accounting, and villegas. and the feds already know that even when it was locked down, most everyone had access through his assistant and rosenfeldt and boden had access cards that they used many times per day. oooooops...guess they should have thought about their use of that as defense before spouting off at the mouth. another genius move by the idiots and their counsel.
Pop another Xanax Stuie Rosie
This isn't Disney Nurik..
Oy!
Shalom
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 6:03PMEveryone who hears the beginning of this song will always laugh now because it will remind them of SR. After all he did pay $100,000 for it to be sang for him.
He was a hard-headed man
He was brutally handsome now, and she was terminally pretty
She held him up, and he held her for ransom in the heart
of the cold, cold city
He had a nasty reputation as a cruel dude
They said he was ruthless, they said he was crude
They had one thing in common, they were good in bed
She'd say, "Faster, faster. The lights are turnin' red."
Life in the fast lane, Surely makes you lose your mind,
Life in the fast lane, Huh
Are you with me so far?
Eager for action and hot for the game
The coming attraction, the drop of a name
They knew all the right people, they took all the right pills
They threw outrageous parties, they paid heavenly bills.
There were lines on the mirror, lines on her face
She pretended not to notice, she was caught up in the race
Out every evening, until it was light
He was too tired to make it, she was too tired to fight about it
Life in the fast lane, Surely makes you lose your mind
Life in the fast lane, Huh
Life in the fast lane, Everything all the time
Life in the fast lane, Huh
Blowin' and burnin', blinded by thirst
They didn't see the stop sign, took a turn for the worst.
She said, "Listen, baby. You can hear the engine ring. We've been up and down this highway, haven't seen a goddam thing."
He said, "Call the doctor. I think I'm gonna crash."
"The doctor says he's comin', but you gotta pay him in cash."
They went rushin' down that freeway, messed around and got lost
They didn't care they were just dyin' to get off
And it was life in the fast lane, Surely makes you lose your mind
Life in the fast lane, Huh
Life in the fast lane, Everything all the time
Life in the fast lane, Huh
Are you kidding me. If you want to hide something from the Florida Bar put it smack in the middle of the constitution and I guarantee you they'll never find it! They are, in part, responsible for these rouge attorneys causing harm to the public. Attorneys know that the Bar is very passive and lax in its oversight. BTW, it is a fact that the Florida Bar is the busiest in the nation. They have plenty of business so they are not exactly out looking for new business. Besides look at the attorneys who work at the Bar most probably graduated from Nova and to them what SR engaged in, is acceptable beahvior.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 6:12PMScott Rothstein is gross looking
The wife is even grosser....
That song does not apply..
She was a typical S Fla bartender with a come a dime a dozen RE Lic....
I live in da hood for over a decade homeowner on the ICW...they are a joke...
who and what they are come a dime a dozen in S Fla.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 6:14PMYes she would be 22 except she didnt live in South Fl. But what do you expect from this group of LIARS. I have researched and SR and DV havent lived within 200 miles of each other until 95. Even with my FAU degree I can tell thats only 14 years at the absolute longest time.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 6:19PMUnless they met online....ha ha which I doubt....
I caught the same thing as I say when I read his office email.....
Why was he trying to drill it in their heads they are so tight?
And alllllll she has done for him?
She has storieeeeeeeeeeeeees to tell and as per another post...she recently this past October pulled 100k Credit line or HELOC out of her house?
Was she planning on having to hire an attorney?
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 6:24PMDo you remember the internet in 1995? Beep shhhhhhhhhhhh beeep ding. I doubt they met online.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 6:34PMIts public knowledge that Emerald Advisors in Weston was a "feeder" to Madoff. Its also known that Scott Hunter who runs Emerald Advisors is the brother of Kip Hunter. Whats interesting is that Emerald shares office space with Gary Farmers former firm (formerly Freedland, Farmer and Russo)
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 6:44PMThanks Pan Glozz for digging into Arnold "The brain" Rothstein.
Both from NY , I was thinking maybe some generations ago. Smells so much like Jewish Maffia. Arnold Rothstein went down too because of greed. Both families from NY. I keep going back to 2005 when Scotty boy came into the "Bling".
Smells like Mob work to me. Why did Rothstein have a "Nixon" action figure in his office? Nixon, Stone...2005?
When this is all said and done there are going to be so many people who are involved.
I am thinking how long the indictment list is just on stuff we know about. Then the cooperating witnesses and unindicted coconspirators. The list has to be in to the hundreds of "targets." Not all will be charged in the indictment but then how many will be charged with ancillary false statements to the feds. Its going to be like six degrees of Kevin Bacon.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 6:49PMI don't give a shit about Boden and I'm sure he did have access to the "inner sanctum" but even before the ridiculous "lock down" it was extremely difficult to reach any of Rothstein's "crew" Debra Villegas and Ingrid Sahdala. You were chastised if you tried to go speak to them in person because they were "so busy" and they NEVER responded to emails. But I guess everyone who worked there was in on it because no one thought to walk in when there was access and say, "hey Scott, how is that Ponzi scheme working out for you?" Do you do that at your place of business? Walk into the managing partner or "COO" and say, "What exactly are doing in here? I would like a full report of your activities today please." The law firm had separate practice groups. PEOPLE WERE BUSY WORKING!!! Have you ever worked in a large law firm with different practice groups? Would you keep tabs on what the PI or employmemt group was up to if you worked in IP? I'm sure there were a select few who knew what was going on - and they will get their comeuppance - but to suggest that if you worked at the firm you had to know is absoultely moronic. Yes - all 70 attorneys knew and did or said nothing - really?? It was the best kept secret of all time then wasn't it?? Does that even sound plausible?
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 6:52PMAnyone know if FLPD Officer Garcia-LeMieux who allegedly provided protection to the bunch is related to the Senator?
Who was the judge that sealed the arrest affidavit on Tony Villegas and why? I read that is an unusual move.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 6:54PMthe standard is "known or should have known". the question is who does this standard apply to in the firm.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 6:58PMJohn Gotti Jr got out of prison in 2005....
The esteemed Mr Norman wrote this March 2008...YOU MUST RE-READ THIS
http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/2008/03/villegas.php
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 7:03PMI was an ear shot away from a group of attorneys talking.
An attorney at the table had just signed on with the Rothstein firm 7-12 months ago. The group of attorneys were on his ass about working there. Advising him that something wasn't right, pull out now, don't work there........Attorneys in town knew, they smelt it right guys and gals!
Now you are onto something Christy!! That's what this blog is all about!!
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 7:08PMThere might be a connection between Rhode Island and the guy who slipped into FL last year and they nabbed him in St Augustine. One of the old timer mob guys.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 7:08PMFor those who didnt click the above link...
FROM 2008
The truth Seeker says:
I think a good point is Debra and the Law firm she works for ? I know so much info that would turn this case around but I am scared for my own safety and job , which I would be fired from. Debra always said that Tony was a bad person but the kids said something diff. and the day before the police arrest tony she goes out and buys a new house and car ?? thats not something I do when I just lost my best friend. enless I have just won the lottery. if you know what I mean. Tony might have know about it , but dont htink he was alone and I dont think he commited the murder!! Debra is not being looked in to becasue her Boss is so hi up in the Political realm of this state! Oh and by the way does anyone know who the rep lawyers firm is for the Plantaion police dept ? thats right Debras. and they turned every rock over for this case except debras .. debra had a lot to gain tony had evrything to lose .. YOU DO THE MATH
Posted On: Wednesday, Apr. 23 2008 @ 11:08AM
"to the plot thickens"
no one is saying all 70 attys knew. but you are a complete moron or you have your head in the sand like xanax rosenfeldt if you think rothstein did this on his own. or even with one or two helpers. NOT POSSIBLE.
boden is going down....so are rosenfeldt, adler, villegas and many others. judge berger was taking a huge salary.....5 times what he brought in during a year from what i have heard....and sat around fat dumb and happy until the shit hit the fan then called rothstein a financial serial killer. pleeeeeez!!!!! berger was holding himself out as a shareholder. he had an obligation to inquire and certainly many others who took the stolen money and looked the other way had the same obligation. is it your argument that people who suspect that their boss is stealing but have no definitive proof are allowed to take money they know they have not earned and think may be proceeds of illegal activity without any consequences????that is absurd. all these idiots are really just crooks a few levels below rothstein. they took the money happily though talk all around town was that something was wrong. they only found their "ethical compass" when they pulled it out of the draw and blew off the dust when the feds came knocking.
hope they all enjoy their time away.
@Bob is a Great investigator 7:03 PM:
Notice how the first comment on Pulp's March 2008 story about how fishy the Melissa Britt Lewis murder was none other than srcohiba - Michael Pancier of Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler fame, attempting to justify why the case was sealed (see previous comments about Pancier by Pan Glozz et al.)
Hmmmmmmm Kidzzzzzz.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 7:17PMA few people have asked about this in the past few days. Does anyone know how much these people who worked for the "feeder funds" were in on the scam? I know someone who worked for one...I'm curious to know how far into this he really is.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 7:21PMthere is something we do not know that apparently scott knows. There is not question that the best deal he will get on a plea is 25 years. He did not come back from Morocco to serve 25 years
He is going to squeal like a pig and sing like a canary. He is going to try to get the Andy Fastow treatment. This guy is a thug but there is not way he is that stupid to have come back to town to serve 25 years.
Are Debra Villegas's kids attending school?
I could care less about the money, who killed Mellisa Lewis?
Stealing is one thing but murder. Does anyone know if Mellisa had new found Bling, like Debra? ( 500,00 houses given to her for 100.00). Was Mellissa walking the straight path. OR was her life filled with new found bling? I suspect she was to informed for her own good.
Feeder funds are basically sales people who bring new money to a fund and get paid a commission to bring money in
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 7:24PMHe didn't come back for 25 years, He came back for life. His life, the life of his beloved Kimmie, and / or the life of his daughter.
Criminals that have millions to invest / launder can have people killed.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 7:31PMI find it impossible to have any sense of sympathy for any investor in this despicable chain of events. I am, actually, ecstatic that these "investors" who would finance an extortion got ripped. Fantastic. Grave robbing blood suckers.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 7:32PMIt's could not care less Christy Girl...
Who cares about the bling crap....
The inner workings-connections all the various tentacles are what we need to focus on...
Who was feeding this punk putz with those that were bringing in the $$$$...
follow da $$$$$
Investors my ass. They're all part of a vast network of scheming white collar mobsters sucking the life blood out of this country - attorneys, sheriffs, judges, governors and senators. Keep up the good work, Bob.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 7:37PMHe probably came back as someone posted he can't hide. He is safer in Ft Lauderdale as this went all over the world. Israel, Rhode Island, New York, Latin America yada yada...
You think the Russians aren't in this...
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 7:39PMWas Melissa's right to her life worth less than all of the $$$ swindled? Oh yeah, murder is boring these days... just a minor twist in this story but let's not forget her in this mess. If these creeps were tied to her murder they need to PAY!!!!
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 7:43PMI had heard that there would be some courthouse NEWS any day right before the SR story broke. I think it is coming and may be unrelated.
It is easy to forget the big storm breaking before RRA blew up. The rest of that is still out there. BTW: How happy was S. Kraft that Rothstein was exposed now.
What are the chances SR just by coincidence ends up in Morocco the same weekend that Kerzner's new casino/resort had its grand opening. The Mazagan resort is 50 miles from Casablanca. NOT POSSIBLE
http://luxuryversion.blogspot.com/2009/10/grand-opening-kerzner-mazagan-beach.html
I looked around on the internet for any pictures of SR at the opening bash. No luck so far. Other than an upskirt of Lindsay Lohan who was there, I haven't found anything noteworthy yet. I bet he was planning to go there before the SHTF to hide money with the casino.
The wave of indictments about to come will be staggering.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 7:53PMI suspect Scotty Boy went to Morocco and was not planning on returning. "They" said if you come back we will cover your ass. He probably had massive amounts of money, connections. So Scotty came back and "they" are covering his Ass, he's walking free and will never serve a day.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 7:54PMThe video clip of the schmuck at her funeral as he twitches his neck had mouth with his hands clasped is telling.
They need to have a body language expert review that.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 7:55PMWhat's Glenn Beck's involvement in this?
The real question is who is going to play Scotty R. on the big screen?? Danny DeVito?
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 7:59PMOk so do you really think SR and / or DV killed Melissa? Come on. I agree conspiracies exist and all that but in order for you to believe that Tony did not kill Melissa you have to believe it was just a coincidence his cell phone was pinging to her house at the time of the murder and that her phone was pinging along side his until it was dumped. Then it was just a coincidence that the murderer used pepper spray in the course of the murder. But Tony after the murder was frantically asking jeeves how to clean up pepper spray from his hands. Tony is a good suspect here.
No using your conspiracy theory. I dont know if you recall but Melissa's murder occured right after the second murder in town center. All 3 women drove black SUV's there was a 4th woman followed but not attacked at Galleria. The initial thought was the Britt Murder, the Boca Murders, and the Galleria incident were related. So why then did the Evil SR and DV frame her ex when the initial suspect was the boca suspect.
With all of SR's connections none have been tied to lowly Plantation PD.
I just dont see them related to her murder. let her truly Rest In Peace.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 8:03PMScotty "PLAYED" seventy RRA lawyers and many wealthy investors very nicely. I'm sure they are all either hiding or wish they were in Morocco at Kerzner's new resort. 2 bad the party's over and the money's all gone!
But in the end ....
"THE SCUM REMAINS THE SAME."
Paul Giamatti aka pig vomit as SR or maybe the cop on the take from the Soprano's that jumped off the bridge. There is a strong resemblence.
But what I really wanna know is who's gonna play Bob Norman?
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 8:08PMWhere is Waldo these days? Last week, we got two clips within a day or so of each other. Now he's disappeared again, unless you eat at the Grill or Bova I guess. Does anyone else wonder if a witness protection program might be in the works here? Hmmm...
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 8:09PMIm thinking Charlize Theron as DV, but the Charlize from Monster when she played Aileen Wournos.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 8:11PMI guess it was Just a Coincidence, they were all tied in with SR....regarding Melissa Lewis?? Doubt it. Who put up the reward money?? Scotty...
Sol Kerzner (Owner of the New Hotel In Morocco, just Opened October 30th, 2009). When did Scotty leave for Morocco??
Kerzner was born in Troyeville, Johannesburg, the youngest of four children to Jewish Russian immigrants. His family started a hotel chain; after Kerzner graduated as a Chartered Accountant, he took over the running of the group and went on to create the most successful hotel group in South Africa, Sun International. He is now Chairman of the Board of Kerzner International based on Paradise Island, Bahamas.
Notwithstanding his success, Kerzner has also been dogged with allegations of bribery and corruption [1]. For example, he admitted to paying in 1986, the Prime Minister of the Transkei, George Matanzima, in exchange for exclusive gaming rights in the impoverished black homeland. Kerzner claimed however to being a victim of extortion rather than been guilty of bribery. The Transkei Attorney General, despite strenuous attempts to prosecute Kerzner, including a failed attempt at extradition, was eventually however forced to drop charges due to the death of the middleman in the deal, without whom a case would not have been possible. Although the nature of the relationship between Kerzner, his then company Sun International and the Bophutatswana leader Lucas Mangope has long been a source of speculation (see [2]) no corruption has ever been proved.
Slideshow Memorial for Melissa Britt Lewis, made by Michael Pancier
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_G4TibbsVDI
Oliver Stone: John C. Reilly will play Scott.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zj933N0-Smw&feature=related
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 8:14PMGodfather3 you protest too much - are you SR or perhaps Ken Jenne speaking on his behalf? Surely you are aware that murders are set up, bought and paid for AND that innocent people are framed all the time. Plantation is quite a distance from Boca and the Galleria. Something stinks!!
Was it a coincidence that SR had connections to the PD and the prosecutor went to work for RRA.
Wasn't it SR's MO to hire everyone that got into his business...what about the ABT agents and the Cheetah Lounge. Give me a break!
Let's just have an independent investigation and let the TRUTH come out.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 8:18PMHey Where @ 8:12 a/k/a New on the last string a/k/a etc- How lame are you bantering with yourself in here? You are not fooling anyone. A fan club of 1. A true LOSER.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 8:23PMNever met SR and I'd like to punch KJ in the mouth. All I'm saying is sometimes a murder is a murder and the guy who did it gets caught, this is one of those cases. Scheinberg had as much to do with investigating that case as you did. SR is a total absolute scumbag! SR didnt hire anybody from Plantation PD, or City Hall or anyone else over there. Those guys did good detective work and solved a murder.
As for the long way to Plantation from Boca or the Galleria, Its a long way from Boca to the Galleria and the same guy was seen at both locations. not a stretch to follow someone from Oh I dont know Broward Mall. All Similar vehicles. ETC the Boca suspect was viable until they could prove it was Tony.
I lost a friend to suicide and friends and family asked why. I stayed up nights for years thinking about it. Until finally I realized you cannot rationalize irrational behavior. This was an irrational act committed by Tony. It doesnt make sense. But I am sure there are many other people out there with a "better" motive. Perhaps opposing clients etc. Random act of violence, Crackhead looking for a car. Doesnt change the fact the evidence is clear. By the way Tony had his phone when he was arrested.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 8:30PMBantering?
Scum Schmuckstein is a good name for the wanna be Jewish Avenger.
u dork poster...
Are you playing with your pencil weenie like Scottie?
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 8:30PMTony's landlord in Hialeah walked in on him washing his arms.. Tony claimed he had gotten pepper spray on his arms. Article says that Tony's landlord, Wilson Pascual contacted police soon after Melissa was reported missing. How did he know Melissa to know that she was missing?
http://justice4nandj.8.forumer.com/a/melissa-britt-lewis-age-39_post17-15.html (last article)
Unsealed records in Plantation lawyer's murder detail suspicions
By Sofia Santana | Sun-Sentinel.com
3:36 PM EDT, April 2, 2008
FORT LAUDERDALE - At least two people close to the suspect charged with strangling Melissa Britt Lewis of Plantation contacted detectives early in the case with concerns that he may have been involved, according to court documents released Wednesday.
Lewis was reported missing March 6, and her body was found the next day in a canal not far from her home.
Tony Villegas, the estranged husband of Lewis' best friend, was charged with first-degree murder on Mar. 19.
Villegas' wife, Debra Villegas, and Tony Villegas' landlord in Hialeah, Wilset Pascual, contacted police soon after Lewis was reported missing, the records show.
Debra Villegas said her husband had made vague threats against Lewis, and Pascual told detectives that on the night of March 5, he walked in on Tony Villegas washing his arms, according to the documents.
Villegas told him he had accidentally sprayed pepper spray on his arms while moving boxes, the records showed.
They go on to state that Pascual realized days later from South Florida Sun-Sentinel articles on the case that investigators found evidence that pepper spray may have been used during an apparent struggle at Lewis' home.
In the end, it was tracking Lewis' cell phone signal to an area near Villegas' home and workplace in Miami-Dade County that gave police enough evidence to charge him in the slaying, officials have said.
The court records also contained details on Lewis' autopsy, mainly that investigators discovered loose hairs on her pants and a shoeprint on her left thigh.
Investigators initially refused to release arrest records in the case, which under Florida law are public documents.
The Sun-Sentinel and The Miami Herald filed lawsuits to obtain the documents, which led to a court hearing Wednesday.
A Broward circuit judge ordered the documents to be made public.
Staff writer Tonya Alanez contributed to this story.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 8:32PM
I can see the 401 E.Las Olas BofA building from my house, and it appears all the lights are on on the 16th floor (8:35pm).
Perhaps the FBI / IRS is doing more search and retrieval work.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 8:38PMIf in fact Tony did it, that doesn't mean some folks at RRA weren't behind it.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 8:38PMThe article fails to mention the computer records for his searches on how to remove pepper spray? the phone calls asking others how to remove pepper spray and the gps records of his phone. Come on you cant believe it just because its in The Sun-Sentinel can you?
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 8:39PMSo ok what is he a manchurian candidate? You kill her, keep quiet, get the needle or life in prison, and we'll be rolling in the dough and new Maserati. Great deal how do I get that job? FYI SR was DV's divorce attorney against Tony. He was Pro se. I'm thinking he didnt have a good opinion of SR and probably wouldnt kill for him.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 8:42PM1) I am not saying there are only 1 to 3 involved, quite frankly, I don't even think Rothstein, Boden and Debra are smart enough to come up with this hair brained scheme alone, let alone have the ability to draft a phony order or pleading on their own, even given the fact that the scam was completely idiotic and I still can't believe anyone fell for it.
2) I am saying - who at the firm (besides those involved) would have suspected it? It's so far out there to begin with. To clarify - I never suggested that people suspected their boss was stealing in the first place. He had all these other businesses, that on the surface, appeared to be legitimate at the time, he became partners with reputable people in some of these ventures, so why would they have a problem cashing their hard earned paycheck? They were generating billables, they were settling cases, so why should they think their paycheck was funded by ill gotten gains?
Maybe there were people receiving obscene amounts of money and not generating enough business to justify it - unfortunately salaries weren't posted in the common areas for everyone to see.
So maybe, just maybe, you could make room for the possibility that the vast majority of attorneys were not in Rothstein's inner circle and did not know that he was shady - just thought he was "eccentric". Maybe they went to the firm so they would have greater resources to better serve their clients so they could fight the good fight and not get crushed by billion dollar corporations.
Hard working, well intentioned people are being lumped together with Rothstein because they worked at RRA - and that's just not right. Some people entered this profession for all the right reasons and now their reputations and character are being called into question because they operated out of RRA and that's not fair.
And to all those people out there (particularly on this blog) who are saying "we knew Rothstein was dirty" and we "knew something wasn't right" you are just so proud of yourselves right now. And you were right, but if you were so sure and knew so much - why didn't you do something? What were your theories on what he was doing? Could you have imagined that anyone would hatch such an idiotic crackpot scheme and - even more suprising - that anyone would fall for it?
The majority of attorneys and staff at RRA are great people. Some can't pay their rent this month, others lost money they had in RRA trust accounts. Many good peoples' lives have been devestated by the acts of the few. Please don't add insult to injury by putting even an ounce of responsibility on them about what they "should have known," or question their character. They were doing ther jobs - not engaging in gossip. Three weeks ago they had jobs they depended on and while their employment status have changed, their responsibilities have not. They still have families to provide for, children to feed and rent to pay.
Please just think about it.
Let Karma take its course and those whose cause harm to other people will harvest suffering themselves.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 8:44PMSR represented the Plantation Police Union...he also represented Officer Alu and others of the Plantation PD in a widely reported steroid matter.
Is it a coincidence that the Chief of the Plantation PD resigned earlier this year? (he had the reputation of being an honest guy and knew the Britt investigation was fixed)
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 8:47PMTo Godfather 3 at 8:03 PM:
"With all of SR's connections none have been tied to lowly Plantation PD."
How wrong you are! Scotty's personal body guard was a former Plantation officer (whose ex-wife also happens to be FBI informant Sheila Alu (see school board corruption case)). It's a tangled web:
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 8:49PMYes it is a coincidence. He didnt leave because a cover up! come on!
You are right Joe Alu does work for SR but he left PPD before the murder.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 8:53PMAnd shady a-holes like Alu don't maintain relationships whth their former corrupt cop friends?
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 8:55PMAnybody else think that Melissa Britt's smoking gun email pointing to Tony V. sounds exactly like the stupid glib scotty rothstein emails that Pulp has published today:
"My friend Debra is going through a divorce. Her ex-husband is nuts. To be on the safe side, she wants to be sure she designates who gets her children if he hurts her and goes to jail. Seems extreme but you have no idea what's going on and restraining orders are worthless."
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 8:55PMOn Friday the bankruptcy court will likely appoint a trustee to take over winding down the firm and going after the assets. Unlike the government the trustee will not care about deals or pleas. They will scorch the earth looking for assets and suing anyone who was involved.
Any one who is owed money and want to get a dollar back will have to file a proof of claim. This will expose all of the investors.
The bankruptcy court is unlike any other court. The rules for collection and investigation are almost without limitation as it is all done in the name of collecting money for creditors. There will be numerous 'adversary" cases filed against all of the firm attorneys who will all take the 5th. However, if there is any paper trail of money used to obtain assets, watch out Kimmie and the other wives as the ill gotten gains will be confiscated and sold. Just like Bernie.
I anxiously await Bob's next chapter..just wish I could keep from peaking in at work during the day. Outstanding work Bob!!!
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 8:56PMI wonder what SR's parents (or sister, who seems to be visibly absent excluding a few in common RRA friends) thought about SR's sudden enormous wealth. Yeah... they benefitted... but in his mothers heart of hearts, could she have wondered about his sudden over the top success?
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 9:01PMHow about Kimmies parents.... they get new homes in 2006 & new cars...
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 9:07PMwe DID advise people and also tipped media three years ago.
Perhaps the money was spreading to so many businesses no one wanted to halt this cash stream.
Maybe this young lady would be alive if they had?
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 9:37PMBy the way Tony had his phone when he was arrested.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 8:30PM
I've been around powerful people with lots of dough for a long time. In fact I ran far away b/c they are so scarry. One said to me "I'm a billionaire and that means I can follow you 24 hours a day for the rest of your life and it will not make a dent in my pocketbook." He also made it clear that he could set anything up using technology and his boyz. It is an easy one to change the ID# on a cell to another's phone so long as you are connected to the right people. So Godfather, if that's what you proclaim to be, I am sure you know offers that cannot be refused are made every day to frame another. Just like the IT guy in RRA has emails, so too there are Russian Israeli techies who can crack any cell phone in the world. Just sayin, wake up b/c thy protest too much.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 9:42PMAs frustrating as the bizarre snail's pace the FBI may be making towards Ponzi arrests, the murder of Melissa Britt Lewis is even more frustrating and adds great expectations of law enforcement to get this whole sordid mess out into the open, whatever it is, get the facts out, and hopefully solve the crimes, do so quickly, and have an air-tight case based on facts. A tall order, maybe.
It's become worth talking over in Des Moines, Iowa:
http://desmoines.injuryboard.com/wrongful-death/did-honesty-get-florida-lawyer-melissa-lewis-killed-.aspx?googleid=274274
The $1 billion crime of nouveau riche lowlife assholes stealing from other nouveau riche lowlife assholes is nothing compared to what someone did to Melissa Britt Lewis, whether Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler is connected directly or incidentally or not at all.
Earlier I questioned how Tony Villegas could be anything but guilty, but now that I understand Rothstein's sordid power and the web of deceit and corrupting ability to taint even the highest officer in Florida. Anything is possible, even someone planting evidence and taking someone else's cell phone and making calls from somewhere to make it look like Tony Villegas was connected to the murder. Not that I am accusing anyone at RRAA, and not that it would be easy, but it might be possible.
Could it even have been possible that it was Tony Villegas who knew something at RRA and was set up by someone to kill two birds with one stone?
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 9:43PMWho is we? Who did you advise? You knew about this ponzi scheme 3 years ago? I don't understand. I don't really remember Scott being in the press 3 years ago. I'm not being a smartass - I would really like to know because the first press I ever saw about RRA was when Melissa was murdered.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 9:44PMWhat was Melissa like? And what kind of person is Debra like?
Did they have a lot in common that would lead them to be close friends?
I know... it's off-track from the ponzi, but was curious.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 10:19PMQuery : was Rothstein's payoff for supporting Crist somehow tied up with the Seminole Indian compact with the State of Florida? You may recall Crist struck that deal on his own.
Jenne was hired because of his connection in part with gambling. And you may remember that Jenne had a side deal with the tribe as a securirty consultant.
I would not be surprised if gambling- internet or otherwise is the real source of his money. And that would explain what appeared to be Russians living in one of his houses.
Scotty say it isn't "Nyet."
Rothstein is going to throw Crist, a lot of cops and politicals under the bus. And all of his fawning "partners" for violating campaign finance laws. I would not be surprised if he gets out of this with a light sentence- to re-emerge in 10 or so years. Each person he drops a dime on will get him months or years off.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 10:19PMI really wish there were more comments about handies, BJs & blow.....you know, sexy time stuff. Please?!?
BTW, Chris Penn would have been the perfect casting choice, but alas.....
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 10:23PMTo: To love plot thickens @ 8:44:
"Some people entered this profession for all the right reasons and now their reputations and character are being called into question because they operated out of RRA and that's not fair."
Are you serious? You think it isn't FAIR that your reputation is called into question for being a part of a firm that was the center of a $1b Ponzi scheme. Not only is it fair, it is a natural reaction to this situation.
That is not to say many RRA lawyers and the vast majority of staff will no doubt be cleared of wrong doing. But do not suggest it is unfair that your association with that firm will cause people to question you. Dramaqueen.
Your attempt to place any blame on people who knew he was rotten and knew this was coming is COMICAL. Why didn't WE do something- you ask. What would you suggest- storm his office and make a fucking citizen's arrest? Should we have called you and attempted an intervention when the announcement of your hire hit the press? Many of us did what we could. We didn't do business with him, despite the
"opportunity." Plenty of us told anyone who would listen what we thought whenever he went by or his name came up.
You invoke Karma. but do not seem to understand the concept that you alone are responsible for your actions. You need to pull your head out of your ass.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 10:23PMThis Fraud could not have been done by a single individual. SR had to have assistance from someone or at least several others. If in nothing else simply the conceptualization and planning of the scheme. Other arrests are coming.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 10:27PMIF you want to make arrests...won't happen. "The big guys"
The Happy Investors are all in Morocco.
Jeffrey Sonn, a Fort Lauderdale attorney representing investors, said in an interview that he has talked to other lawyers who claim investors in Morocco gave Rothstein $85 million.
Sonn said that some investors were being paid commissions of up to 20 percent to lure other investors into the deal.
So Rothstein had investors form Morocco giving him money and he would find Investors elsewhere and pay the money to Moroccon investors. Then when the flames got hot here, Rothstein went to Morocco where his happy investors were. What just opened in Morocco? Sol Kerzner's Luxury Resort October 30th. When Rothstein went to Morocco I am sure he brought lots of money with him too . Follow the money, it's in Morocco, guys.
When SR came on the eastside scene in 2005 or 06 it was out of the blue with comical ads and photos of himself at charity events.
The advertising was clumsy and did not at all portray an ascending law firm.
Based simply on what SR made public, it was quickly deduced that he was a fake. No noteworthy cases and no plausible explanation for such sudden wealth. When he spoke he did not seem very bright.
If acquaintances asked for advice, whether to accept an offer at the rising RRA, we suggested it probably would not be a smart career move.
i do not think SR was involved with the murder, but given the way this case has unfolded so far it wouldn't be too shocking if it turns out he was. assume he wasn't for a second. assume tony did it. now tony is going to walk now because this freak show will create plenty of doubt. tony could defend himself using a sock puppet as his "lawyer" and beat this case now. the only way justice will be served for sure is if it turns out SR was involved.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 10:53PMWhen Scott Rothstein walks Scott free we can all then see that the Florida bar is The Jewish Mafia.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 10:57PM
we knew he was a jackass but did not know it was a Ponzi.
You too would have known he was a giant jackass with some minor research.
He deliberately put himself in a spotlight. He was nailing his name to the sides of buildings and 'sponsoring' every fundraiser. He was handing out checks like candy everywhere for years. Hard to miss.
This whole case and all of its spin-offs is super surreal.
Bob Norman has done a great job of getting the word out to the masses.
This is great for Democracy and great for America.
Thank you Bob.
P.S. Nothing like seeing a bully get his.
Scott Rothstein you are a Shithead Asshole. As for the others and you know who you are, well well well FUCKERS. You aren't so fucking cute now are you? In fact, when you do get a job somewhere I bet you start wearing suits and ties again and not those funky shirts with the jeans that you thought made you look like a fucking rockstar. And again, FUCK YOU. You know who this is for.
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 17 2009 @ 11:36PMWhat section of RRA did the former ABT employees work in?
Someone needs to check out those super stars in the all star cast.
Posted On: Wednesday, Nov. 18 2009 @ 12:26AMRegarding the house Debra Villegas' daughter Aimmee Villegas lives in. Name is not on the property because property it is a rental and Scott Rothstein paid for at least a year's rent IN FULL - WITH STOLEN MONEY!!! So Aimee gets a place to live, rent free, still works at the firm getting paid, while vendors, employees, etc. get nothing. Maybe if they ever take Debra's house, she can move in with her. That way Scott is atleast still providing Debra a home. That is so special!!! Is this legal???
Posted On: Wednesday, Nov. 18 2009 @ 1:16AMThe former ABT employees worked as investigators for Rothstein. They were the guys who were going through people's garbage trying to find sordid details that would cause embarrassment and thereby allow RRA to extort $$$, The word "bottomfeeders" just isn't strong enough to define these guys. I'm wondering if any of this group has any shame! The scummiest of the scum...trying to find bad behavior in other people. Will post the Sun-Sentinel article and Firsten's documented firing for lack or credibility (lying, and conduct unbecoming a civil employee).
Posted On: Wednesday, Nov. 18 2009 @ 1:22AMLooking for embarrassing information, hmmmm..... Is there any potential connection between Rothstein exhorting ppl and the taping that went on in the Cheetah? Aren't Cheetah's lawyers RRA?
Posted On: Wednesday, Nov. 18 2009 @ 1:46AMYOU GUYS WILL NEVER GET A DATE IN THIS TOWN AGAIN (LET ALONE A J.O.B. says)
State authorities have launched a criminal investigation into official misconduct and evidence tampering involving the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco.
The Cheetah, a low end gentlemen's club, was raided following an undercover inquiry into sex-for-money and drugs there.
The state spent 19 months investigating the Cheetah with undercover officers (Roberts and Fisten) going into the club at least 18 times with dancers offering them sex in the private VIP rooms and/or drugs, according to state records.
(18 VISITS? ISN'T THAT A BIT MUCH?? ON TAXPAYER DOLLARS???)
Five days later, ABT executed a second search warrant, seizing the video recorders. State agents got the warrant after telling a judge that cameras were secretly recording people in the VIP rooms and bathrooms.
Authorities aren't saying what's on the recorders. Cheetah's attorney, Robert Buschel, has been demanding the devices back, arguing they were illegally seized.
The club's owner, Joe Rodriquez, reached an incredibly lenient settlement with the state (negotiated by lawyer WHEELER. Starting to smell really, really BAD??) to sell the Cheetah's liquor license and pay a $15,000 fine. (IS THAT THE SAME JOE RODRIGUEZ WHO IS REPRESENTED BY ROTHSTEIN, ROSENFELDT AND ADLER??? YES! IT IS!! WHAT A "COINCIDENCE"!)
On Monday, ABT filed a complaint about Wheeler with the Florida Commission on Ethics. Deputy General Counsel Michael Martinez wrote in the two-page complaint.
According to one complaint, Wheeler WAS JUST AN OUTRIGHT SLEAZY SCUMBAG.
As for Roberts and Fisten, they were not to share information "in reference to certain pending legal matters about which you have specialized knowledge as a result of your employment with ABT" cops, Buschel, speaking on the behalf of Roberts, Fisten and Wheeler, said Tuesday the state hasn't sent him a copy of the Florida Commission on Ethics complaint, which was supposed to be ruled on by the high-regarded Vice Chair, SCOTT ROTHSTEIN, so he could not comment. (Nod, Nod, Wink, Wink).
So what happened to these players, you're wondering?
In June, the three former ABT officials — Maj. Pat Roberts, Lt. Michael Fisten and Senior Attorney Michael Wheeler — have gone to work for the law firm that represents the Cheetah: Rothstein, Rosenfeldt and Adler. Roberts had supervised the Cheetah investigation. Fisten was one of the undercover officers. Wheeler negotiated the settlement agreement for the state.
(Just remember the names, folks. All you can do is drive these guys out of town out of embarrassment, at this point).
Posted On: Thursday, Nov. 12 2009 @ 7:13PM
Thank you anon. We need all the characters mapped out in genogram-style to keep track of everyone!
Posted On: Wednesday, Nov. 18 2009 @ 2:22AMYou people are funny and sick. To think that you would spend this much energy on the above is sad. I took a poll on Twitter and nobody else in the US could care less, and I have over 60,000 people following me. Get a job, buy some REOs and start a re-furb, or consider work as a paralegal. As far as SR's lineage re religion, let it go - unless, of course, you are a redneck living near Plantation. Plus- you tangent into non-germane side-issues like a bunch of gossipy old women. (BTW: I own three buildings on Las Olas)
Posted On: Wednesday, Nov. 18 2009 @ 9:48AMWho is the former law enforcement officer that was known for his fiction writing capabilities?
"Fiction XXXXXXXX"
Posted On: Wednesday, Nov. 18 2009 @ 9:49AMWho cares what you say 9:48. You are a TOOL for that post and no the PEOPLE are not letting it go.
And guess what ... no one gives a fuck how many buildings you own.
Posted On: Wednesday, Nov. 18 2009 @ 9:52AM'Come Back'(posted TUE 17 NOV, 7:39P) -
Yes, there are ties to Rhode Island.
We first read of Rothstein in last week's Providence (RI) Journal, www.projo.com which said Rothsteing transferred two homes purchased for 2.8 million each into a Delaware corporation.
This super lawyer doesn't know about Fraudulent Transfer of Assets Statutes?
By mere coincidence, did he pay the same price for two adjacent but dissimilar homes on Point Judith Pond, over a year apart, located in a neighborhood known for 'interesting' residents?
We lived nearby until 1994, when the RI MOB, who'd extorted a family member for years, tried to grab for our homestead.
My murdered mother paid cash for it when Eisenhower was President. Taxes were current. How could they take it? By misusing Courts. It's called, 'Judicial Terrorism'. Aren't predators with law degrees such as www.viscontilaw.com and the RRA gang are past masters of Judicial Terrorism?
By odd 'coincidence', some of our culprits live in Plantation and run a Hollywood catering company. Wonder it they're pals of Scott? We've since learned they'd long looted The Living Trust of 1957, drawn for benefit of my murdered mother and 'Paul and his family'.
That's why my mother was murdered and 'Paul and his family' left Rhode Island.
That's why we won't stop publicizing these human predators, those with law degrees in particular, so that citizens can see them for the clear and present danger they present.
There are other ties to Rhode Island.
For the past year, www.projo.com has reported that Twin Rivers Casino, the former Lincoln Downs, has stiffed the state out of its share of the gambling proceeds.
Doesn't Mr. Kerzner have a large, if not sole, interest in Twin Rivers? The casino has over 1500 slots yet it can't pay the toilet attendants? Where'd the money go?
They never in their most paranoid of fantasies thought that the Net, in this instance Maximo Norman's engrossing dilligent reporting, would expose them to public scrutiny.
It has. It will continue to do so.
After reading the ProJo item,we Googled Rothstein and found Maximo Norman's Blog. Of late, it's the first news site we hit.
There seem to be general similarities to the Rhode Island Credit Union Collapse of 1990 in which mob-owned 'bank' 'failed' and collapsed the rest of the credit unions.
The mob used Joseph Mollicone to get its money safely out prior to the collapse. Mollicone fled the state, returned years later, turned himself in, and served time.
Is this a dual-purpose Ponzi, in which select 'investors' who appear to 'lose' in fact get their money laundered out of the country prior to projected economic troubles?
Doesn't it make it all the more understandable, from the perspective of those with so much to gain, that the 'Melissa Britt Lewis Problem' required a 'final solution'?
As for the set up of the ex-husband, isn't it straight out of the mystery novels, utterly ordinary? Surprising the cops missed it, isn't it?
The Zecchino Estate Grifters tried to pull the same gag. They lied in court in vain attempt to falsely 'imprison Paul Zecchino for thirty years without the inconvenience of court scrutiny'. That would leave my wife vulnerable to their peculiar talents, women haters that they are.
They failed. They failed because Judicial Terrorists always fail. As will the many interesting and powerful in the RRA saga.
Paul Vincent Zecchino
Manasota Key, Florida
18 November, 2009
Bunch of fools you are - SR is five steps ahead of you, this was pre-pack crime - all pre-planned, every step, every reaction.
The guy is a crim/genius.
Watch for the upcoming SR Disappearing Act.
Meanwhile you guys keep blabbing 'bout Kimmie and 30 other tangential and non-germane matters.
Must be that heat....
I agree with DonWan, this was pre-planned gig. Word on the street is that SR will flee soon. Meanwhile keep playing PI, I enjoy the chatter.
Posted On: Wednesday, Nov. 18 2009 @ 11:17AMYes, based upon my analysis of this situation and a friend I have that knew SR in law school he is a very precise, planning guy - everything in precise detail and mapped out far ahead - full of what-ifs and responses. If you analyze his actions you notice a well-controlled person - and what you may think is funny or crazy or joke is just an act of deception. SR did what he had to do - he was and is relentless. This was a plan he developed years ago. Of course he had co-conspirators and they are also mapped into his plan. He didn't do this just for the money - he did this because his type of personality needs this type of juice. Even before RRA when he tried cases he was "electric" at trial.
Posted On: Wednesday, Nov. 18 2009 @ 11:30AMTorts 102 -
Agree. This is not a stupid guy. One of the perps in The Zecchino Estate Grift is known as 'Vincent the Chin' - no relation to the real one - for his ability to act 'crazy' 'erratic' and 'nuts' when in fact he's cunning, calculating, and cold.
This clearly does seem like a 'Constructed Fraud', all pre-scripted, and as you say, for every objection, contingency, and problem they have a variety of evasions, just like a battle plan.
There's much more to this than meets the eye.
Thanks to the net, those who stink of fear will see their cherished schemes dry up and blow away in the wind, in manner of jackal droppings on a hot desert rock.
Paul Vincent Zecchino
Mansota Key, Florida
18 November, 2009
Paul Vincent -
You are correct, this is a Constructed Fraud of the Nth Degree. SR's inner sanctum office was where is could think and map. He knew this would unravel, the only question was when.
This is not a John Gotti or a Paul Castellano, this is man that decided to "pull a major heist" and develop odds in his favor. And, he knows the law, judges, etc. to help develop that plan. Of course, all co-conspirators are expendable.
As you say: he is cunning and calculating - and precise in all actions and reactions. Notice his self-management of [his] emotions; notice how he can stare someone in the face and lie (TV/Video reports) without the normal body language giveaways, etc.
There is much more to this than meets the eye, e.g., upcoming insurance claims, elusive tax havens, etc. I suggest that the investors may be involved as well and the scam has a different end-game than one may think.
Posted On: Wednesday, Nov. 18 2009 @ 12:52PMTorts 102 -
Thank you for your insights. I agree. Doesn't it seem as if this 'Ponzi' has at least two tiers?
The first would be the straight losers. They trusted. They invested. They lost.
Then there's a second. They too, trusted. They invested. Appeared to lose. And smiled inwardly, knowing their cash had been spirited safely out of the country in anticipation of rough waters at home.
You mention SR's Inner Sanctum. It screams of control, organization, and close attention to detail, doesn't it?
Disorganized offenders are legion - three goofs who knock over a gas station, consume the 'haul' which consists of two bags of CheaszeBombs and four bucks which they quickly invest in a bottle of Night Train.
This one didn't. They're talking about tens of millions blown on homes and boats. Even if we allow for his high daily expenses, that leaves one to ask, where'd the majority of the loot go, doesn't it?
Do you find it interesting that both Villegas and the Hialeah landlord made what real homicide investigators and forensic clinicians call 'the Classic Mistake of the Criminal'?
If I understand the linked articles correctly, Villegas and the landlord didn't merely report their concerns about a missing Ms. Lewis, they instead hinted a foul play, implicated their chosen perp, and made statements which suggest they knew about details of the crime which only the perp or perps could know.
Doesn't this suggest yet again that the best gags are pulled right out in the open?
Paul Vincent Zecchino
Manasota Key, Florida
18 November, 2009
Posted On: Wednesday, Nov. 18 2009 @ 3:25PM
PVZ, you are of course correct. Most of these victims had Swiss/UBS accounts and were not among the 15,000 people that fessed-up to the IRS lately. These people recently withdrew their money and SR is the "handler."
The attention is removed from them as victims with some degree of insurance compensation.
This is a brilliant plan; and has nothing to do whether SR lost or won court cases; because that was not his specialization - this is.
Villegas was also a pre-plan, as you suggest.
The money is not where you think. It is primarily in Brazil, Israel, Argentina, and Singapore. It is in a variety of corporate account names. Some of the investment money was mobbed-up because word had gotten back to them as a way to make a good "vig" if you are an early-investor.
That money has also disappeared and in the past SR gave these mobbed-up people personal assurances of fast wealth creation. However, they kept close tabs on him; hence his over vigilant security.
When SR reached Casablanca to manually re-route money and obtain several false passports equipped with the new chips he was notified that the mobbed-up guys had landed there and wanted to talk to him. He spoke to them; they were partially satisfied with his responses and he returned to the US because of threats. His trip to Morroco was meant to be one-way (of course the flight plans call for an r/t).
SR was supposed to rinse mobbed-up money by intermingling it with early-investor funds for.
Unfortunately Ms. Lewis was very talkative about SR's plans because he used her to help draft phony documents and she acted as the messenger between RRA and others including TD Bank. She sang so often about exposure and results she was negated.
As you learn more about the Tier 2 and 3 investors you will see how the pieces fit together nicely.
Posted On: Thursday, Nov. 19 2009 @ 11:23AMI think someone forgot about Gary Farmer, Jr. son of Gary Farmer, Sr. (Judge) and classmate of David Benjamin.
If anyone thinks those attorney's at that law firm didn't know what was going on, they are family members of the lawyers and trying to cover up for them!!!
I don't know an attorney that isn't aware of the money their firm is generating. The firm generated $8 million with 75 lawyers and paid salaries out of $18 million. Every single lawyer enters their worked hours and knows exactly what their billable hours are....you don't get a pay check of $500,000 a year and only bring in $100,000 of billable hours.
I hope they go deep into this scheme and not just the surface with one fall guy. There are MANY!!!
Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 24 2009 @ 7:20PMAccording to your description of what Rothstein was doing, he was buying of whistlewblowers, and short circuting any real qui tam actions.
So, he uses some hedge fund money to pay off a whistelblwower who was a aware of $ 100 million in fraud, for two million, and takes soem cut(as a middle man), although no real qui tam case was filed(or so he flaoted that scam.
No wonder Scotty bundle so muuch money for McCain.
He says his scam was one not adverse to the company defrauding USA acounts.
So in a sense he was seeking to add another level of fraud to blow up all accountability in the USA.
But, then what---some company did not liek his shake down, so the money stream blew up.
Only 1/10 of the stuff is a matter reported on by the press
We all pay for 100, 110 and 125% mortgages!
Posted On: Monday, Dec. 21 2009 @ 10:59PMSome financial advices are stupid.
Posted On: Tuesday, Dec. 22 2009 @ 11:31AMI recently discovered your website and have been reading along. I thought I might write my first comment. I dont know what to say but that Ive really enjoyed reading. Interesting blog. I will continue coming to this blog frequently. I have also got the feed to get any updates.
Posted On: Wednesday, Jan. 13 2010 @ 8:30AMI recently discovered this blog and have been reading along. I felt I could write my opening comment. Im not sure exactly what to write but that I have really enjoyed reading. Cool blog. I shall keep coming back to this blog frequently. I have also got your RSS feed for updates.
Posted On: Wednesday, Jan. 13 2010 @ 8:31AM
