A once high-flying attorney who courted politicians and celebrities was arrested Tuesday on federal racketeering and fraud charges alleging he operated a $1 billion investment scheme involving phony legal settlements.
Lawyer Scott Rothstein was led into the Miami FBI office in handcuffs following his early morning arrest on five charges, including a violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations, or RICO law, often used against the Mafia and other criminal organizations.
Rothstein was also charged with wire fraud, money laundering, and mail and wire fraud conspiracy. The combined maximum prison term for convictions on all counts is 100 years, according to court documents.
A few hours after his arrest, Rothstein pleaded not guilty in federal court even though the information charging document — rather than an indictment — used by prosecutors typically means a defendant has agreed to eventually plead guilty.
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