Broward Deputies With Ties to Ponzi Schemer Scott Rothstein Face Federal Charges

Two suspended Broward Sheriff's Office deputies with ties to convicted Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein now face federal criminal conspiracy charges

The almost unending case of convicted Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein continued to generate arrests Friday as two suspended Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies with ties to him now face federal conspiracy charges.

“A day or two after I became sheriff, the FBI briefed me on the Rothstein Investigation and that’s when I made the decision to suspend the two officers,” said Broward Sheriff Scott Israel.

The two officers, Lt. David Benjamin and Detective Jeff Poole, were both fired by Israel Friday. Both are accused of abusing their law enforcement powers to help Rothstein. While Rothstein is in jail for 50 years, the investigation into all the Ponzi scheme was tied to has continued to net arrests.

“I’m not at liberty to talk about any part of the investigation,” Israel said.

The federal indictments alleged that Rothstein paid Benjamin $185,000. Poole and Benjamin arrested the wife of Rothstein’s friend on false charges to help the friend’s child custody claim and that Benjamin helped Rothstein make his infamous getaway to Morocco.

While Israel can’t talk, author Chuck Malkus, who wrote a book based on the Rothstein case said arresting the two officers is a step in the right direction.

“Scott Rothstein had BSO officers in his back pocket. Scott Rothstein was bribing officers to carry out illegal acts and this is just the tip of the iceberg,” Malkus said. “Because now with these two indictments, we can expect another 10 indictments over the next two months.”

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us