Título: Scott W. Rothstein
Seção: Law partner murder
Background: Scott W. Rothstein (born June 10, 1962) is a disbarred lawyer and the former managing shareholder, chairman, and chief executive officer of the now-defunct Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler law firm. He was accused of funding his philanthropy, political contributions, law firm salaries, and an extravagant lifestyle with a $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme, one of the largest such in history. On December 1, 2009, Rothstein turned himself in to authorities and was subsequently arrested on charges related to the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). Although his arraignment plea was not guilty, Rothstein cooperated with the Government and reversed his plea to guilty of five federal crimes on January 27, 2010.

Conteúdo: Debra Villegas, who handles his money, is the law firm's chief operating officer. She is co-owner with Rothstein in a home at 2307 Castilla Isle, as of May 2009. According to records, Rothstein originally purchased the property in September 2007, for $1.75 million, and sold it for $10 to a shell corporation in September 2009.  In 2005, the year the Ponzi scheme allegedly began, Villegas earned $80,000 a year. In 2007, her salary had increased to $145,000. Villegas received two Swiss watches -- a Rolex and a Breitling -- from her "employer". Rothstein paid off her couch and a bedroom set and held title to her two Honda water scooters. Villegas was living in a $475,000 Weston home that Rothstein signed over to her in July 2009 for $100 and "love and affection," according to the deed. Villegas registered a 2009 $100,000 Maserati GranTurismo at the home in January, 2009. In November 2009, Federal prosecutors seized the home, alleging that it was among Rothstein's ill-gotten assets.  Villegas' estranged husband, Tony Villegas, was charged on circumstantial evidence in the March 2008 murder in Plantation, Florida of Melissa Britt Lewis, a partner in Rothstein's firm. Although early news reports wondered at whether the evidence was substantial, according to New Times, "Nine days later, forensic testing revealed that Tony's DNA had been found on Melissa's suit jacket - the same jacket she wore on the day she died."  Police sealed the arrest affidavit. As a result of the homicide and 

user: who is scott?

assistant: Rothstein has a team of "executive protection specialists" to guard the firm and his family, his teen-aged daughter.

user: what happened with swindle pitch?

assistant: CANNOTANSWER

user: where did the money go?

assistant: In 2005, the year the Ponzi scheme allegedly began,

user: who did he work with?

assistant: Debra Villegas, who handles his money, is the law firm's chief operating officer. She is co-owner with Rothstein

user: was he arrested?

assistant: Rothstein has a team of "executive protection specialists" to guard the firm and his family, his teen-aged daughter.

user: anything interesting?

assistant: Federal prosecutors seized the home, alleging that it was among Rothstein's ill-gotten assets.

user: how much money did he make?

assistant: Rothstein originally purchased the property in September 2007, for $1.75 million, and sold it for $10 to a shell corporation in September 2009.

user: when did the scheme begin?

assistant: In 2005, the year the Ponzi scheme allegedly began,

user: was it legal?

assistant: Rothstein's ill-gotten assets.