The alleged investment scam by Fort Lauderdale attorney Scott Rothstein could top $1 billion, making it one of the biggest fraud cases in South Florida history, the head of the FBI in South Florida said Thursday morning at a news conference.

“When all is said and done, this scheme could well exceed one billion dollars,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge John Gillies.

He would not talk about whether others may have been involved with the Fort Lauderdale lawyer’s alleged Ponzi scheme, but said “I do not believe this was a one-man show.”

His remarks came as the FBI and IRS sought the help of possible victims of Rothstein’s alleged scam.

They are urging investors of any kind to contact the FBI by telephone or e-mail with information about about their investment, verification of that investment and other details. Agents will then pore over the information and first respond to the biggest victims — a process that could take weeks.

Asked why the FBI had not yet arrested Rothstein, Gillies responded: “We will investigate this in a timely manner but we won’t be rushed. We’re far from over.”

Rothstein is suspected of stealing hundreds of millions of dollars from investors who bought legal settlements from him since 2005.

THE FBI RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT A SHORT WHILE AGO:

The Miami Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Miami Field Office of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) are seeking information from individuals who have invested in the Rothstein Structured Settlement Investment (RSSI) or from individuals who have information that would be helpful to the investigation. To facilitate information gathering, the FBI has established a dedicated e-mail address and an informational telephone line 1-800-CALL-FBI, “Rothstein Option.”

Details of the investigation cannot be discussed at this time, as the investigation is ongoing. However, the FBI and IRS are seeking to identify victims and to obtain any information to determine the extent of any potential fraud.

In an effort to determine the scope of the matter and the amount of losses that may be involved, investigators are requesting that individuals provide:

Basic contact information (name, address, telephone numbers, e-mail address.)
Amount of investments/losses with the Rothstein Structured Settlement Investment.
Whether you can verify your investments by providing the most recent statements.
Any additional information that may be helpful.
Information may be provided via dedicated e-mail address [email protected] or to informational telephone line 1-800-CALL-FBI, “Rothstein Option” (1-800-225-5324.) If you have investigative information that may aid the criminal investigation, you may also submit it via email or telephone. For those who would like to return funds received from Rothstein please call the 1-800 number and someone will get back with you with specific instructions on how to return the funds.

Hard copy documentation may be mailed to:

FBI Victim Assistance Program
Rothstein Investment
16320 NW 2nd Avenue
Miami, Florida 33169

If it is determined that you are a victim, the FBI will be in touch with you. Please note that due to the expected number of responses, it may be several days before you are contacted.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC / Miami Herald)