02-09-2010, 09:34 PM
Letter from Broward sheriff to Rothstein speaks of 'friendship'
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In a December 2008 letter, Sheriff Al Lamberti praises Rothstein for an award he received, mentions their "friendship'' and offers his assistance professionally or personally. Letter photographed in Mitch Caesar's law office in Plantation on Monday, Feb. 8, 2010 (Amy Beth Bennett, Sun Sentinel / February 9, 2010)
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Scott Rothstein
Fraud By Sally Kestin, Sun Sentinel
February 9, 2010
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Just how close was convicted conman Scott Rothstein to Broward's top law enforcement officer?
Sheriff Al Lamberti wrote a letter of congratulations to Rothstein after the now disbarred lawyer won an award from the Anti-Defamation League in 2008. In it, the sheriff offered his help, should Rothstein ever need it.
"I appreciate your friendship over the past year,'' Lamberti wrote on Dec. 22, 2008, using his office's official letterhead. "If I may be of any assistance to you whatsoever, either professionally or personally, please feel free to call upon me.''
At the time, Rothstein's $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme, the biggest in South Florida history, was in full swing. There is no indication that the sheriff was aware of Rothstein's illegal actions when he wrote the letter, or whether it was routine or something out of the ordinary. Lamberti's office would not say how many similar letters the sheriff has written.
Lamberti did not respond to questions from the Sun Sentinel, including what he meant by friendship and his offer of assistance. His office said Tuesday he was returning from an out-of-town meeting, then planning to attend an evening meeting of the Pompano Beach City Commission.
Rothstein's cozy relationship with some local cops, meant to lend an air of legitimacy to his business and legal ventures, has put two of the sheriff's top commanders under scrutiny. David Benjamin and Tom Wheeler traveled on private planes with Rothstein to football games, and Benjamin escorted him to the airport the day last October that Rothstein fled to Morocco as his investment scheme was unraveling.
Both Wheeler and Benjamin remain on duty, Lamberti's media relations director, Jim Leljedal, said Tuesday.
Wheeler and Benjamin also worked with Rothstein to help Lamberti win a contentious election in 2008. Rothstein and his associates contributed $3,600 to Lamberti directly and another $110,000 to a committee supporting his campaign.
Lamberti's letter was written little more than a month after he won that race as the Republican candidate. It surfaced at an auction of Rothstein's former law office furnishings and knick knacks last month.
Mitch Ceasar, Broward's Democratic chairman, bought the document for about $175 for his collection of political memorabilia. He calls it a "fun conversation piece.''
1 2 next | single page
1 2 next | single page
In a December 2008 letter, Sheriff Al Lamberti praises Rothstein for an award he received, mentions their "friendship'' and offers his assistance professionally or personally. Letter photographed in Mitch Caesar's law office in Plantation on Monday, Feb. 8, 2010 (Amy Beth Bennett, Sun Sentinel / February 9, 2010)
Related
Rothstein partner Adler sued for $1.2 million
New report details results of Rothstein auction (PDF)
Databases | The world of Scott Rothstein: Follow the donations, business interests, registrations and real estate deals
Photos
Photos: Scott Rothstein and his expensive toys
Video
VIDEO: Prosecutors: Rothstein's Ferraris, friends are all gone
Multimedia
PDF: Inventory of items seized from Scott Rothstein's law offices
PDF: Federal charges against Scott Rothstein (PDF)
PDF: Scott W. Rothstein's biography as posted on the law firm's website
See more multimedia »
XPoll: What do you think? Stories
Timeline: Key dates in the life of attorney Scott Rothstein
Toxic shock of Rothstein's fall felt across South Florida
Kim Rothstein will go after pre-Ponzi assets, her lawyer says
See more stories »
XComplete coverage: The fall of Scott Rothstein
Fort Lauderdale looks to reform police moonlighting policies
Rothstein's desperate actions suggest he sensed the end
Lauderdale police chief's friendship with Scott Rothstein under scrutiny
Google Wave users: Join in our public Scott Rothstein wave Topics
Lawyers
Justice System
Corporate Crime
See more topics »
XCrimes
Scott Rothstein
Fraud By Sally Kestin, Sun Sentinel
February 9, 2010
E-mail Print Share Text Size
Just how close was convicted conman Scott Rothstein to Broward's top law enforcement officer?
Sheriff Al Lamberti wrote a letter of congratulations to Rothstein after the now disbarred lawyer won an award from the Anti-Defamation League in 2008. In it, the sheriff offered his help, should Rothstein ever need it.
"I appreciate your friendship over the past year,'' Lamberti wrote on Dec. 22, 2008, using his office's official letterhead. "If I may be of any assistance to you whatsoever, either professionally or personally, please feel free to call upon me.''
At the time, Rothstein's $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme, the biggest in South Florida history, was in full swing. There is no indication that the sheriff was aware of Rothstein's illegal actions when he wrote the letter, or whether it was routine or something out of the ordinary. Lamberti's office would not say how many similar letters the sheriff has written.
Lamberti did not respond to questions from the Sun Sentinel, including what he meant by friendship and his offer of assistance. His office said Tuesday he was returning from an out-of-town meeting, then planning to attend an evening meeting of the Pompano Beach City Commission.
Rothstein's cozy relationship with some local cops, meant to lend an air of legitimacy to his business and legal ventures, has put two of the sheriff's top commanders under scrutiny. David Benjamin and Tom Wheeler traveled on private planes with Rothstein to football games, and Benjamin escorted him to the airport the day last October that Rothstein fled to Morocco as his investment scheme was unraveling.
Both Wheeler and Benjamin remain on duty, Lamberti's media relations director, Jim Leljedal, said Tuesday.
Wheeler and Benjamin also worked with Rothstein to help Lamberti win a contentious election in 2008. Rothstein and his associates contributed $3,600 to Lamberti directly and another $110,000 to a committee supporting his campaign.
Lamberti's letter was written little more than a month after he won that race as the Republican candidate. It surfaced at an auction of Rothstein's former law office furnishings and knick knacks last month.
Mitch Ceasar, Broward's Democratic chairman, bought the document for about $175 for his collection of political memorabilia. He calls it a "fun conversation piece.''
1 2 next | single page