LAW PARTNER OF PONZI SCHEMER SENTENCED TO 30 MONTHS FOR FEDERAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION VIOLATIONS

Scott Rothstein and Russell Adler

Russell Adler, the A in Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler, Scott Rothstein's law firm, where Rothstein perpetrated a billion-dollar Ponzi scheme, has been sentenced to two and one-half years in Federal Prison, for his role in making illegal campaign contributions, to presidential and senatorial election candidates, intended to influence and curry favor among elected government officials. He must also serve two years of Supervised Release, after he has completed his prison term.

Adler, who was not charged with any direct involvement in Rothstein's investment scheme, which sold interests in ficticious court settlements, pled guilty to Federal Election Campaign Law violations. On June 19, 2014, the Supreme Court of Florida disbarred Adler, who had been engaged in the practice of law in Florida for more than 25 years. He reportedly owes more than $400,000, in Federal taxes. He recently asked the Court to impose a non-custodial sentence in this case, asserting that his involvement was an isolated, aberrant event, in an otherwise outstanding law career, but the Court, at sentencing, reportedly questioned how he could not know about the Ponzi scheme operating at his firm, where counterfeit court documents were prepared, and bogus financial statements were created.

A note to any unindicted participants on the Rothstein Ponzi scheme; at the sentencing, the prosecutor reportedly mentioned that there will be more defendants named.