Lawyer in Ponzi Probe Returns from Morocco After Hinting of Suicide
A Florida lawyer facing accusations that he may have looted as much as $500 million from investors in legal settlements has returned to Florida after hinting of suicide in a text message.
Scott Rothstein sent the text four days ago to the five partners in his firm, Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler, the Sun-Sentinel reports. “Sorry for letting you all down,” he wrote. “I am a fool. I thought I could fix it but got trapped by my ego and refusal to fail and now all I have accomplished is hurting the people I love. Please take care of yourselves and please protect Kimmie [Rothstein’s wife]. She knew nothing. Neither did she nor any of you deserve what I did. I hope God allows me to see you on the other side. Love, Scott.”
Rothstein arrived in Florida shortly before 1 p.m. on Tuesday, the Miami Herald reports. Rothstein and his lawyer later met with prosecutors. He did not show up for a court hearing in which a receiver was appointed for Rothstein Rosenfeldt. Nor did he visit his law firm, although police surrounded the building after receiving a call that lawyers there were concerned for their safety.
A lawyer for Rothstein Rosenfeldt said at a court hearing Tuesday that the firm has only about $500,000 in operating funds, barely enough to cover staff salaries. Many of the firm’s lawyers are going without paychecks.
Story lead changed on Nov. 5 to say the investments were in legal settlements, rather than structured settlements.
Prior coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Miami Lawyer Says He Pointed Feds to Rothstein in Claimed $500M Scheme”
ABAJournal.com: “Rothstein Firm Seeks Allegedly Missing $100M to $185M; Is He in Morocco?”
ABAJournal.com: “Rothstein Rosenfeldt Seeks to Dissolve, Says MP Suspected of Wrongdoing Won’t Go”
ABAJournal.com: “Law Firm Mulls Bankruptcy Amid Rumors of Failed Venture by Big-Spending Founder”
