Rothstein's Ponzi-Purchased Goodies to be Auctioned
Feds will hold auction of Rothstein's office on Jan. 23
NBCMiami
Now you too can have a piece of a Ponzi scheme empire without losing millions.
The feds have decided to auction off South Florida's Ponzi scheme king Scott Rothstein's ostentatious office supplies - everything from the pens he used to sign the checks to his flat screen TVs and leather couches.
"Everything you saw in his office," Lamar Fisher, whose company will run the auction, told the Miami Herald. "We will sell down to his fountain pens, his desk clocks.''
Since Rothstein probably won't be seeing the outside of a prison cell for some time, authorities figure it's about to time to try and recoup some of the money the Fort Lauderdale attorney stole. The auction is set for Jan. 23.
Rothstein currently sits in federal jail while his attorneys hash out a possible plea deal for his role in a billion dollar Ponzi scheme. On Dec. 2, the 47-year-old was formerly charged with wire fraud, mail fraud, racketeering, conspiracy to commit fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
But the goody room that was Rothstein's penthouse law office contains more than some shiny pens and notepads. Rothstein's fortress was what you would expect from someone who bilked $1.2 billion from friends and investors.
He has autographed photographs with some of the most influential people in the world. Rothstein owns a pair of autographed Shaq shoes. There's D-Wade memorabilia and Dan Marino autographed jerseys.
And if fellow Ponzi-schemer Bernie Madoff was the master of bulls, Rothstein was equally in love with the Florida Gators.
He has a piece of the hardwood floor from the 2006 Final Four and signed memorabilia from Urban Meyer, Steve Spurrier and other Gator greats.
For our money, and we don't have much, the See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil monkeys that were located in the window seal behind Rothstein's desk should be the most coveted items at the auction.
Just imagine what they have seen.
Posted Thursday, Dec 17, 2009 - 3:14 PM EST
