The Epstein files have numerous documents related to $1.2 billion Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein, who looked at Donald J. Trump as a role model.
The homemade video shows billion-dollar Ponzi criminal Scott Rothstein sitting in the back of a limousine on his way to Yankee Stadium, a glass of vodka in his hand, lecturing to several children -- relatives and family friends -- who are attending the baseball game with him."Here's one thing you should learn about me that's really important, everybody pays attention," Rothstein said. "If you are going to attack me in any fashion, be prepared for the counter-attack and understand that I duel with people much much smarter than you every day. Understand that the repercussions of engaging me could open the gates of hell. Understand that I am capable of evil far beyond anything your imagination could ever conjure up."A voice from behind the camera pipes up: "I can verify this as actual fact." The voice is that of Steve Caputi, a partner with Rothstein in the Café Iguana nightclub in Pembroke Pines and one of his closest friends "He said, 'Listen, Trump operates the same way, the politicians operate the same way, when there's a problem you fix it," he said. "Sometimes you go outside the rules. Everybody does it, that's how it's done. That's how you get to the top."And Caputi rode along as Rothstein's meteoric rise began until both of them were hobnobbing with Donald Trump at his Mar-A-Lago estate.He said Trump was one of Rothstein's idols and Trump returned the respect in a big way one night at an event at the lavish Palm Beach spread."Donald Trump puts his arm around Scott and says, 'You know, people you're looking at probably the next United States Attorney General,'" Caputi said. "And Scott's trying to look all modest, and Arlen Specter chirps in and says, 'Maybe someday a president of the United States.' And the whole room explodes with applause like the floor of a convention."
Rothstein used his ill gotten gains for influence peddling. The perpetrator was looking at a reduced sentence (a la Jeffrey Epstein) but the government reversed their offer:
Prosecutors withdrew their motion two years ago to reduce Rothstein’s sentence based on his cooperation in the sprawling racketeering investigation because he provided “false” information and violated his plea agreement.
Sound familiar?
Rothstein's co-conspirators were investigated, charged and convicted.
Epstein's psychologist was the victim of a different fraud from financial advisor Donald Hardman. He copied Epstein on communications with his attorney on settling the fraudulent debt with Regions Bank.
Local law enforcement took an interest in the Hardman case, just as they had with Rothstein
Epstein started at $20,000 to settle a $200,000 debt plus interest. The offer rose to $50,000. It appears they settled on $75,000.
Makes you wonder about Palm Beach, the new Wall Street given how many financial firms have located offices there.
Trump II disabled white collar criminal investigatory capacity and ring fenced numerous areas as off limits for investigation. He even appointed a white collar crime defense attorney as Ambassador to the United Nations.
Should Trump pardon Scott Rothstein he could fulfill that Attorney General prognostication. Pam Bondi's bombastic thugery is getting stale.
