WIFE OF CONVICTED LAWYER/PONZI SCHEMER TO PLEAD GUILTY TO MONEY LAUNDERING CONSPIRACY

Mrs. Rothstein

After repeated delays in setting the trial date, which indicated probable plea negotiations, Kimberly Wendell Rothstein, the wife of former Fort Lauderdale attorney Scott Rothstein, has reportedly agreed to enter a plea of guilty, in US District Court, to the charge of Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, Obstruct Justice and Tampering with a Witness. In addition to Mrs. Rothstein, whose husband Scott is presently serving a 50-year sentence for running a Ponzi scheme involving the sale of non-existent interests in phantom sexual harassment and employee discrimination lawsuits,  her civil attorney and reputed best friend, were also charged in the case.

The defendants allegedly concealed over $1m in jewelry owned by Mr. & Mrs. Rothstein from the appointed trustee charged with assembling assets, including a 12.08 caret yellow diamond ring. They sought to covertly sell the assets to a local jeweler, who was to says that they were owned by a deceased individual. Additionally, the defendants conspired to influence the convicted husband to corroborate the information about the bogus seller.

The ring

Given that the charges include not just Money Laundering Conspiracy, but also Obstruction of Justice and Witness Tampering, which most judges take a very dim view of, one should not expect a minimal sentence in this case, which is reportedly Set for 1 February, 2013.