Bad Santa: Feds Want Rothstein's Toys

New court filing details embattled lawyer's treasure trove

By BRIAN HAMACHER

Updated 3:43 PM EDT, Mon, Nov 23, 2009

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He collected real cars like kids collect Matchbox or Hot Wheels, had homes and businesses throughout South Florida and had millions stashed away throughout the world.

The Scott Rothstein empire is a tangled mess indeed.

A new forfeiture filing released by prosecutors today showed just how extensive Rothstein's collection of property, businesses, cash, cars, boats and other pricey nik-naks was.

Included in the filing is over $17 million in bank accounts, most of it in Morocco, some of it in other people's names, all "acquired in connection with a Ponzi scheme," according to the filing.

Though Rothstein, 47, has yet to be charged with any crime, the FBI estimates the Ponzi scheme began in 2005 and may have bilked investors out of more than $1 billion.

They're just allegations at this point but the laundry list of expensive items doesn't make much of a case for innocence.

In addition to the bank accounts, there's the over $271,000 in cash found in Rothstein's Fort Lauderdale mansion.

Most impressive in the filing is the list of 20 cars: 4 Mercedes, 3 Ferraris, 3 Corvettes, 2 Rolls Royce convertibles, a Bentley, a Maserati, a Lamborghini, a Bugatti, a black Ford Expedition limo, a BMW, a silver Hummer and an Escalade. There's the three boats and four jet skis, the over 300 pieces of expensive jewelry, 16 pricey Du Pont lighters and Rothstein's guitar and sports memorabilia collections.

Then there's his stake in restaurants, including Bova Prime, Bova Cucina, Bova Ristorante and Cafe Iguana. There his stake in companies like Renato Watches and Georgio Vodka and the Versace Mansion.

Not to mention the rent he collected from Bucky's BBQ and a car wash, both in Boca Raton. And the tens of thousands in political contributions to the Republican and Democratic Parties of Florida and pals Charlie Crist and Alex Sink.

Also included were his $1.8 million in charity donations, which are in the process of being turned over to authorities. Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale has already agreed to forfeit $1 million the embattled lawyer donated to them just last year. Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood has turned over $800,000 donated by Rothstein.

Federal agents already took several items from Rothstein during raids earlier this month month, including one of the Ferraris, a Rolls Royce and the Bentley.