Monday, Dec. 12, 2011

Fla. Ponzi scammer begins 2-week lawyer grilling

By CURT ANDERSON

MIAMI (AP) — Convicted Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein is naming names and pledging to tell the complete truth about who else was involved in the $1.2 billion fraud to avoid dying in prison.

That's according to attorneys attending Rothstein's two-week, closed-door deposition, which began Monday in Miami.

More than 30 lawyers representing dozens of wronged investors will question Rothstein through Christmas Eve. They want to know how deep the scheme ran in his now-defunct Fort Lauderdale law firm and how much help he got from outsiders.

Attorneys say Rothstein already revealed some other law firms that may have been involved. The scam involved investments in fake legal settlements.

Rothstein is serving a 50-year prison sentence. His only hope of getting out early is to testify truthfully in the criminal probe and civil lawsuits.

2011-12-12 19:45:18 GMT

Copyright 2011. The Associated Press All Rights Reserved.
The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed
Ads by FindLaw

Legal News