Report: Rothstein Wired Millions, Sought Extradition Advice
Embattled lawyer sent money to Morocco, sought advice on extradition
By BRIAN HAMACHER
Updated 10:45 AM EST, Tue, Nov 17, 2009
With the Feds close on his tail and and his alleged Ponzi scheme unfolding, embattled attorney Scott Rothstein tried to get his ducks in a row.
Not only did the Fort Lauderdale lawyer wire $18 million to Morocco, he was apparently exploring his options for fleeing to another country where he'd never be prosecuted, according to the Sun-Sentinel.
Ten days before he flew to Morocco, he sent a mass e-mail to the other attorneys at the Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler firm, seeking advice on a "client" who had committed a crime in the U.S. and fled to Israel and was trying to avoid extradition.
"We have a client that was a United States citizen until about 6 months ago. He became a citizen of Israel and renounced his United States citizenship. He is likely to be charged with a multitude of crimes in the united states including fraud, money laundering and embezzlement," Rothstein wrote in the e-mail obtained by the Sun-Sentinel.
Ten days later, Oct. 27, Rothstein was on a private plane heading for Morocco, and a lawyer representing investors allegedly bilked by Rothstein said he didn't go to North Africa empty handed.
Bill Scherer, lawyer for the investors said he confirmed that Rothstein wired $18 million to Morocco.
Whether it came back or not, I don't know," Scherer told the Sun-Sentinel. He said that over $200 million moved through Rothstein accounts in October alone.
Rothstein's lawyer said there was money transferred but he's not sure how much.
Stuart Rosenfeldt, Rothstein's partner, said he quickly realized that the client Rothstein was asking about was Rothstein himself.
"Hindsight is 20/20," Rosenfeldt said. "I certainly began to suspect when I learned Scott was in Morocco that he was really talking about himself in these e-mails."
Rothsteins's lawyer said the e-mail was about a real client.
Though Rothstein has yet to be charged with a crime, The FBI said last week that Rothstein's scam may have bilked investors out of over $1 billion.
First Published: Nov 17, 2009 10:37 AM EST
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