A former attorney for the wife of convicted Florida Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Scott F. Saidel, 45, entered his plea Thursday in federal court and his sentencing hearing has been scheduled for June, according to Annette Castillo, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.
Saidel, Scott Rothstein’s wife, Kim Rothstein, 38, and one of Kim Rothstein's friends, Stacie Weisman, 49, were charged last year in a scheme to conceal jewels, valued at more than $1 million, from authorities, officials say.
On Nov. 9, 2009, agents with the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations went to the Rothstein residence, where Kim Rothstein assisted them in retrieving what was believed to be all the available cash, jewelry and luxury watches purchased by Scott Rothstein with proceeds from the Ponzi scheme, authorities said.
Kim Rothstein Pleads Not Guilty
However, according to court documents, Kim Rothstein, Weisman and Saidel “knowingly” concealed jewelry “for the purpose of preventing the government from exercising its authority to take such property into its lawful custody and control,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Rothstein and Weisman allegedly sold and attempted to sell a portion of the jewelry to and through various persons, including Eddy Marin and Patrick Daoud, who were separately charged, authorities said.
Kim Rothstein Facing Federal Charges
Marin and Daoud are scheduled to start their trials, on charges of obstruction of justice and perjury, in April, Castillo said.
According to federal records, Kim Rothstein and Weisman each are scheduled to have change-of-plea hearings in their cases Friday afternoon before Judge Robin S. Rosenbaum.
Rothstein Auction Brings in Over $250,000
