Scott Rothstein Saga: Federal Prosecutors File Motion To Reduce 50-Year Prison Sentence

By Matthew Hendley Thu., Jun. 9 2011 at 7:17 AM

Categories: Ponzi Party

Pin It

Scott Rothstein: Looking for his get-out-of-jail-free card

It turns out Fort Lauderdale's king Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein won't rot away in prison for 50 years after all.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lawrence LaVecchio filed a motion today to reduce Rothstein's prison sentence, although how much they're willing to reduce it hasn't yet been announced.

The filing says they are willing to reduce the sentence for "having provided substantial assistance to the government in the investigation and/or prosecution of others."

The feds waited until the last possible day under federal law to file a motion for a sentence reduction -- one day before the first anniversary of Rothstein's sentencing date of June 9, 2010.

Now, federal prosecutors have requested an essentially open time frame, and request that the judge not act on the motion until they've gotten what they want out of Rothstein.

Here are some of the points listed on the filing:

Prior to the defendant's guilty plea, the defendant began cooperating with the United States in the investigation of others. The defendant has continued to cooperate with federal law enforcement authorities in its criminal investigation. However, that cooperation is not yet complete and will not be within one year of the defendant's initial sentencing.
Some of the information provided by the defendant to the government within one year of sentencing has not yet become useful to the government as the investigation is ongoing and has not yet reached fruition.
Upon completion of the defendant's cooperation, the government will file a motion for a hearing at which time the government will advise the Court of the nature, extent, and value of the defendant's cooperation.

How much longer this will take is anyone's guess.

Rothstein's cooperation with the feds has already led to three arrests -- alleged Mafia men Enrique Ros, Roberto Settineri, and Daniel Dromerhauser -- and his $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme has led to five -- Debra Villegas, Howard Kusnick, Stephen Caputi, William Corte, and Curtis Renie.

Follow The Pulp on Facebook and on Twitter: @ThePulpBPB.

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Weekly Newsletter: Our weekly feature stories, movie reviews, calendar picks and more - minus the newsprint and sent directly to your inbox.