Draft: efta02759685

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE
FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND
FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA¶

Case No. 50 2009CA040800XXXXMB AG¶

JEFFREY EPSTEIN¶

v. Plaintiff,¶

SCOTT ROTHSTEIN, individually,
[REDACTED] J. [REDACTED],
individually, and L.M., individually,¶

Defendants.¶

_____/¶

SHARON R. ROCK, CLERK
PALM BEACH COUNTY
CIRCUIT CANAL / APRIL 25/2010
FILED
2010 MAY 25 PM 4: 37¶

EPSTEIN'S MOTION TO POSTPONE THE JUNE 4, 2010
HEARING ON ROTHSTEIN'S MOTION TO SET ASIDE DEFAULT¶

Plaintiff, JEFFREY EPSTEIN ("Epstein"), moves to postpone the June 4, 2010 hearing on Defendant's, SCOTT ROTHSTEIN ("Rothstein"), Motion to Set Aside Default, and states:¶

1. 1. Epstein filed the instant action against Rothstein and others on December 9, 2009.
2. 2. On December 31, 2009, Epstein filed a Motion for Default due to Rothstein's failure to respond to the Complaint.
3. 3. A default was entered by the Clerk on January 21, 2010.
4. 4. Rothstein filed a Motion to Set Aside Default on February 17, 2010.
5. 5. Several weeks later and on the eve of the hearing on Rothstein's Motion to Set Aside Default, Rothstein filed an affidavit on March 8, 2010 in support of his Motion to Set Aside Default.
6. 6. The next day, March 9, 2010, a hearing was held on Rothstein's Motion to

Set Aside Default and the Court deferred ruling so the parties could conduct discovery related to the motion (3/9/10 Order attached as Exhibit A).¶

7. On April 5, 2010, counsel for Epstein wrote to counsel for Rothstein to coordinate Rothstein's deposition and indicated that since Rothstein is in jail, the location of his deposition would likely have to be moved. See 4/5/10 Letter attached as Exhibit B. Counsel for Rothstein never responded to said letter.

8. On April 15, 2010, Epstein filed a Motion to Strike Affidavit of Scott Rothstein because he was unable to depose Rothstein.

9. On April 22, 2010, the Court denied Epstein's Motion to Strike Affidavit of Scott Rothstein and granted an additional thirty (30) days to depose Rothstein (4/22/10 Order attached as Exhibit C).

10. However, Rothstein's own counsel has had considerable difficulty locating and communicating with his client. In an April 22, 2010 article in the South Florida Business Journal (attached as Exhibit D), it was reported that Rothstein's counsel, Mark Nurik, Esq., was unaware of his client's location for substantial periods of time and has only had limited contact with Rothstein. Mr. Nurik was quoted as follows:

• a. "[Rothstein] is presently in protective housing outside of this district.... Undersigned counsel's contacts with his client must be arranged and approved in advance through the government, which creates delay."
• b. "There have been numerous occasions in the past few months when undersigned counsel has been unaware of his client's location and has been repeatedly out of contact with his client for substantial periods of time, including one period for over two weeks."
• c. "Given these limitations in the past five weeks, counsel has only been able to meet with his client on two occasions. Currently, there is no ability to e-mail [Rothstein], and phone contact is very limited. Even the sending and receipt of legal mail takes longer than the norm."

See Exhibit C (emphasis added).¶

11. Interestingly, counsel for Rothstein had no problem obtaining Rothstein's notarized signature on his affidavit.

12. Due to the additional time given to depose Rothstein, the hearing on Rothstein's Motion to Set Aside Default was rescheduled to June 4, 2010.

13. However, Epstein has been unable to locate, let alone depose, Rothstein and therefore requests the Court postpone the June 4, 2010 heari e Motion to Set Aside Default.

14. Epstein's counsel has made the numerousAw 5 rts locate and depose Rothstein, to no avail:

• a. Telephone conference with 'Lisa -Kaye, Case Management Coordinator/Legal Liaison at the Federal Detention Center in Miami — was advised they do not have custody of Rothstein, have no information on his whereabouts and could not assist in coordinating his deposition;
• b. Telephone conference with U.S. Marshal's office was advised they are not responsible for coordinating depositions and would not give provide any information regarding Rothstein.
• c. Telephone conference Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator in Washington D.C. — was advised they have no record of Scott Rothstein;
• d. Telephone conference with Port St. Lucie Jail was advised they had custody of Rothstein for brief period, but had no information on his whereabouts;
• e. Two voicemails for Bureau of Prisons never returned a call;
• f. Two letters and two voicemails for United States Attorney Paul never returned a call or responded to letters; and
• g. Voicemail for United States Attorney Jeff Kaplan never returned call.

15. In addition, news articles have suggested that Rothstein is entering the federal witness protection program due to his involvement in assisting the government arrest reputed Gambino mob figure Robert Settineri:

• h. "But [Rothstein] may end up spending less time behind bars; the feds plan to put him in prison under the witness protection program for helping sting Settineri in the FBI undercover operation." See 3/19/10 Miami Herald Article attached as Exhibit E.
• i. "Sources tell CBS4 News that because of his cooperation in this case [against Settineri], Rothstein will be entering the federal witness protection program — meaning he will serve his prison time for the Ponzi scheme under a different name and in a prison outside of Florida. See 3/15/10 CBS4 Article attached as Exhibit F.

16. Given the above-described difficulties in locating and ing Rothstein, Epstein requests the Court postpone the June 4, 2010 hearing on Rothstein's Motion to Set Aside Default and provide an additional thirty (30) days to take Rothstein's deposition.

WHEREFORE, Defendant, JEFFREY EPSTEIN, requests the Court postpone the June 4, 2010 hearing on Rothstein's Motion to Set Aside Default and provide an additional thirty (30) days to depose Rothstein and grant any additional relief the Court deems just and proper. *ci Certificate of Service¶

I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true copy of the foregoing was sent by fax and U.S. Mail to the following addressees on this 25th day of May, 2010:¶

S A. Farmer, Jr., Esq. , Jaffe, Weissing, & Lehrman, PL 425 N. Andrews Avenue, Suite 2 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 954-524-2820 954-524-2822 - fax Attorneys for Defendant, L.M. Fistos¶

Jack Scarola, Esq. Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart Shipley, P.A¶

Jack Alan Goldberger, Esq. Atterbury Goldberger & Weiss, P.A. 250 Australian Avenue South Suite 1400 West Palm Beach, FL 33401-5012 Fax: 561-835-8691 Co-Counsel for Defendant Jeffrey Epstein¶

Law Offices of Marc S. Nurik & Counsel to Scott Rothstein¶

2139 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd.
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
686-6300
383-9424 F
Attorneys for Defendant [REDACTED] [REDACTED]¶

One East Broward Boulevard, Suite 700
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(954) 745-5849
(954) 745-3556F¶

BURMAN, CRITTON, LUTTIER & COLEMAN, LLP¶

303 Banyan Boulevard
Suite 400
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 842-2820
(561) 258-0164 Fax¶

By:¶

for
(Counsel for Defendant Jeffrey Epstein)¶

7¶

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE
FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN
AND FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY,
FLORIDA¶

JEFFREY EPSTEIN¶

Complex Litigation, Fla. R. Civ. Pro.1201¶

Plaintiff,¶

Case No. 50 2009CA040800XXXXMB AG¶

v.¶

SCOTT ROTHSTEIN individually,
[REDACTED] J. [REDACTED],
individually, and L.M., individually,¶

Defendants.¶

_____¶

ORDER ON DEFENDANT SCOTT ROTHSTEIN'S MOTION TO SET ASIDE DEFAULT¶

THIS CAUSE came before the Court on Defendant Scott Rothstein's Motion to Set Aside Default, and the Court having heard argument of counsel and being fully advised in these premises, it is hereby¶

ORDERED and ADJUDGED that said Defendant's Motion is hereby granted/
denied deferred pending a special not
leave to be parties are given love to
and a discovery in regard the Motion¶

DONE AND ORDERED at Palm Beach County Courthouse, West Palm Beach,
Florida, this 23 day of Mar., 2010¶

David F. [REDACTED]
Circuit Judge¶

¶

Copied furnished to:
ROBERT D. CRITTON, JR., ESQ., Burman, Critton, Luttier & Coleman, 303 Banyan Boulevard, Suite 400, West Palm Beach, FL 33401, MARC S. NURIK, ESQ., Law Offices of Mark S. Nurik, One East Broward Boulevard, Suite 700, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, GARY M. [REDACTED], JR., ESQ., [REDACTED], Jaffe, Weissing, [REDACTED], Fistos & Lehrman, PL. 425 N. Andrews Avenue, Suite 2, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, JACK SCAROLA, ESQ., Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A. 2139 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33409, and JACK ALAN GOLDBERGER, ESQ., Atterbury Goldberger & Weiss, P.A., 250 Australian Avenue South, Suite 1400, West Palm Beach, FL 33401-5012¶

CC: JE, DS¶

¶

BURMAN, CRITTON LUTTIER &COLEMAN us, YOUR TRUSTED ADVOCATES¶

A LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP¶

f. MICHAEL BURMAN. PA." GREGORY W. COLEMAN. PA. ROBERT a CRITTON. JR.. RA I BERNARD A. LESEDEKER MARK T. LUTTIER. RA MICHAEL ). PIKE DAVID A. YAREMA¶

1RORIDA BOARD CERTIFIED CJVIL TRIAL LAWYER 'ADMITTED TO PRACTICE IN FLORIDA AND COLORADO¶

Sent by Fax, E-Mall and U.S. Mall¶

Mark Nurik, Esq. Rothstein, Rosenfedit, Adler, P.A. 401 E. Las Olas Blvd., Suite 1650 Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301¶

April 5, 2010¶

Re: Epstein v. Rothstein, et al. Case No. 50 2009CA04080 AG¶

Dear Mr. Nurik:¶

ADELOVI I. BENAVENTE PMLALEGAL/INASTICATOR JESSICA CADWELL BOBBIE M. MCKENNA ASHLIE STOKEN•BARINO BETTY STOKES PARALEGALS RIFA H. BUONYK OF NHL EDVEMOM. RICCI¶

O C¶

As you are aware, we have set your client's Motion to Set Aside Default on a special set for 40 minutes on April 30, 2010 at 3:30 p.m. The court indicated we both could take discovery.¶

I am enclosing a Notice for the Deposition of Scott Rothstein at a court reporter's office at West Palm Beach. I have set it for April 15, 2010. I am aware that Mr. Rothstein is in jail, and therefore probably cannot attend that deposition at that location. Therefore, I am willing to move the location. The deposition will deal solely with issues associated with his Motion to Set Aside the Default.¶

If that deposition time does not work, please let me know. If it is your intent to file a motion for protective order regarding Mr. Rothstein, please so file.¶

Additionally, I would like an additional date such that I can take Mr. Rothstein's deposition in the case. Specifically, I would like to ve t ose issues that are directed to Mr. I have received a Notice from Mr. attorney which requires me to do the necessary work and investigation suc that I can make certain recommendations to my client. I am aware that Mr. Rothstein prior to his plea, was completely off limits to a deposition. With his guilty plea, I would anticipate that he now¶

EXHIBIT ^I75 LCLAW.COM¶

Epstein v. Rothstein Page 2¶

is available to give a deposition. Would you please contact me such that the above discovery can be arranged.¶

Cordially Yours,¶

RDC/clz¶

D. Critton, Jr. cosA <b)¶

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE
FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN
AND FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY,
FLORIDA¶

JEFFREY EPSTEIN¶

Complex Litigation, Fla. R. Civ. Pro.1201¶

Plaintiff,¶

Case No. 50 2009CA040800XXXXMB AG¶

v.¶

SCOTT ROTHSTEIN, individually,
[REDACTED] J. [REDACTED],
individually, and L.M., individually,¶

Defendants.¶

_____/¶

ORDER ON MOTION TO STRIKE AFFIDAVIT OF SCOTT ROTHSTEIN¶

THIS CAUSE came before the Court on Motion to Strike Affidavit of Scott Rothstein, and the Court having heard argument of counsel and being fully advised in these premises, it is hereby¶

ORDERED and ADJUDGED that said Motion is hereby granted/denied
However, the Motion for Removal of Defendant will
be postmod for 30 days to allev the
Plaintiff to obtain discovery as to the Affidavit.¶

DONE AND ORDERED at Palm Beach County Courthouse, West Palm Beach,
Florida, this 20^th day of April, 2010¶

David F. Crow
Circuit Judge¶

Copied furnished to:
ROBERT D. CRITTON, JR., ESQ., Burman, Critton, Luttier & Coleman, 303 Banyan Boulevard, Suite 400, West Palm Beach, FL 33401, MARC S. NURIK, ESQ., Law Offices of Marc S. Nurik, One East Broward Boulevard, Suite 700, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, GARY M. [REDACTED], JR., ESQ., [REDACTED], Jaffe, Weissing, [REDACTED], Fistos & Lehrman, PL. 425 N. Andrews Avenue, Suite 2, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, JACK SCAROLA, ESQ., Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A. 2139 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33409, and JACK ALAN GOLDBERGER, ESQ., Atterbury Goldberger & Weiss, P.A., 250 Australian Avenue South, Suite 1400, West Palm Beach, FL 33401-5012¶

¶

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Blog: Scott Rothstein: Picking up the Pieces¶

Rothstein Sentencing Moved To June 9¶

Thursday, April 22. 2010, 1 25pm EDT I Mildred. Thursday. April 72. 2010, 1 40pn1¶

A judge has moved Ponzl schemer Scott Rothstein's sentencing back more than a month.¶

That is not necessarily so unusual, but the reasons seem pretty weird.¶

There's a motion from Rothstein's attorney, Marc Nurik, that's unlike anything I've seen in a court case¶

¶

Nurik claims that Rothstein's cooperation with federal authorities by providing evil interfered with Munk's ability to communicate with him. ce for dlRpeb mafla stings has¶

According to federal authorities and numerous media reports, Rothstein hel Protection & Investigation, a local security firm that had lies to the mar connection in South Florida. All three were hit with federal indictmen money and destroy evidence of his Ponzi scheme. uplWEempktyees of Five Star Executive do Settineri, an alleged Sicilian mafia ein allegedly asked them to launder¶

This comes after the first sealed document was filed in Roth are recommending a lighter sentence because of coopera litchi is a signal that might mean the reds¶

Nunk has almadv admItteff to creating a smokescreen think that Rothstein was flaunting federal jurlsdicU arrested. on so that the public and Certain alleged criminals would¶

Here's the relevant text of Nurik's request for a later sentencing d¶

"Specifically, the defendant is presently in protective housin counsel's contacts with his client must be arranged and a district and treated differently than other inmates. Undersigned nce through the government, which creates delay.¶

"There have been numerous occasions in the past few repeatedly out of contact with his client for subs undersigned COunSel has been unaware of his client's location and has been time, including one period for over two weeks.¶

"Given these limitations, in the past five weeks, ability to email the defendant, and phone con only been able to meet with his client on two occasions. Currently, there is no limited. Even the sending and receipt of legal mail takes longer than the norm.'¶

Paul Brinkmann Reporter AuLic¶

¶

Rothstein was to be sentenced May 6. Tl tir date is June 9, at 9:30 a.m.¶

Gurnee; Lesejescles¶

People fast MOOS¶

AN contents of this site n City Business Journals Inc. All rights reserved.¶

¶

the is iami Herald¶

Posted on Fri, Mar. 19, 2010¶

Scott Rothstein figure accused of making threat¶

By JAY WEAVER jweaver@MiamiHerald.com¶

Roberto Settineri, the reputed Sicilian mafioso snagged by Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein in an FBI sting, had a little brush with the law in January.¶

As he was eating al fresco at Soprano Cafe on Lincoln Road, Settineri opened his leather jacket to flash a handgun at a private security officer, a police report states.¶

"I will put this gun in your f---g mouth," Settineri told the security officer, the report says. "I know where you live. I'll go to your house and kill you and your family."¶

Miami Beach police eventually caught up with Settineri, who denied threatening the guard with his firearm. The cops arrested Settineri, 41, of Miami, on an aggravated assault charge, a third-degree felony.¶

But that's the least of his problems.¶

Last week, FBI agents arrested Italian-born Settineri, a naturalized U.S. citizen who works as a wine wholesaler, on obstruction of justice and money laundering charges in connection with Rothstein's $1.2 billion investment scam. Federal authorities also accuse him of being connected to the mafia's Colombo and Gambino crime families.¶

At the same time, Italian National Police officers flew to Miami and revealed charges accusing Settineri of belonging to the Sicilian mafia and participating in a slew of violent crimes.¶

Settineri was a regular on Lincoln Road, where he sold wine to restaurants lining the popular pedestrian way. EXHIBIT¶

¶

Michael, Settineri's lawyer, said his client was eating with CI lAJUIJIG of other men at Soprano Cafe on Jan. 8 when he had the run-in with the¶

security officer, Cesar Mainardi, who was on his patrol bike. He worked for Security Alliance, a company contracted with the city of Miami Beach.¶

said Mainardi confronted Settineri over a woman they both knew.¶

Main ved his way through a tight crowd and intentionally harassed him," said. Settineri "told the security guard to leave him alone, and he made up these allegations."¶

But Mainardi, in an interview with The Miami Herald, denied the fight was over a woman.¶

In his police statement, Mainardi accused Settineri of threatening him for no reason: "Apparently he did not like the way I looked at him, and I noticed his reaction and wanted to talk to him, but he acted aggressive."¶

'HEATED ARGUMENT'¶

Mainardi told police that Settineri flashed the semi-automatic weapon, which was in a holster on his belt. But "he never took it out," Mainardi said.¶

Settineri left the restaurant after the confrontation, but Miami Beach police reached him on his cellphone.¶

According to the police report, Settineri admitted having a "heated argument" with the security officer but denied "threatening him with any type of gun."¶

Settineri said he owned four guns, but they were all at his Brickell Key condo in Miami at the time of the incident. Police found no weapon on him.¶

State records show that Settineri has a concealed-weapons permit.¶

ROTHSTEIN LINK¶

Rothstein, who came to know Settineri through a Broward security company he had hired for protection, allegedly talked Settineri into shredding documents and laundering $79,000 in November from the Fort Lauderdale lawyer's Ponzi scheme, according to an indictment unsealed last week.¶

Rothstein, 47, who pleaded guilty to racketeering and other charges in January, faces up to 100 years in prison at his sentencing in May. But he may end up spending less time behind bars; the feds plan to put him in prison under the witness protection program for helping sting Settineri in the FBI undercover operation.¶

Italian authorities charged Settineri along with 19 other people allegedly linked to the Sicilian mafia. The charges: extortion, drug trafficking and attempted murder.¶

© 2010 Miami Herald Media Company. All Rights Reserved.¶

http://www.miamiherald.com <49 6)*¶

the CBS4 1.Teamit Most Popular Investigations¶

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Mar 15. 20106 44 pm uSiEastem¶

I-Team: Rothstein Scams Alleged Mafia Player Rothstein Hired Security Firm For SISK/Day¶

& Cate Telles( fir Lame umodemds¶

¶

Reporting J th DeFede MIAMI (C BSA I-TEAM) — In South Floras. where hucksters and cheats are an everyday fact of We Scott Rothstein may be remembered as the greatest con man of them all. A lawyer who from obscurity to build one of the most polstiCally powerful law firms in the state. Rothstein now stands convicted of biking friends and strangers alike The 51.2 billion Pony scheme he orchestrated is the largest in South Florida history He lied, tricked and deceived nearly everyone he met. And the damage he caused may never be repaired.¶

E-mail But Rothstein's tagged con may actually be the one he has done on behalf of the federal government. The CBS4 I-Team learned from multiple sources that Rothstein was the key figure in bringing down a suspected Wm figure who the FBI ha trying to catch for years.¶

La st week. U S. Attorney Jeffrey Sidman announced the arrests ol three individuals, including Roberto Settinen. who the prw slaof described as the go between for the Gambino ChMe organization in Brooklyn and Ls Cosa Nostra in Palermo. Slaty¶

¶

'These arrests were part of a dint US and Italian law enforcement action; Semen said during thednamtays press conferente¶

Al the same bore Seeman was arrested by an FBI SWAT Team at his home on Miami Beech. Gambino time limey were arrested in Brooklyn and twenty members of the Sicilian Mal were taken into custody in Palermo. of the le Mans de Gesu.¶

Taken into custody in South Florida along with Setoneri was Dant Dromerhau Pines was charged but was out of the country when the raids took place. Enrique Ros of Pembroke¶

Solemn. Denterhauser and Res were charged with one count of consent:10 Justice and two counts of obstructors and attempting to obstruct federal proceedings, one count of conspiracy to launder money and rue counts of substantive money laundering If convicted of el nine counts the men could each ta sentenced to 160 years in pnscn¶

Although Rothslein's name never appears in the end' net was it mentioned during Wednesdays press conference at the U.S. Attorneys Office CBS4 News has learned that the man t the center oe the case is none other than Scott Rothstein¶

Wten Rothstein returned from Morocco on N 3. he tr. immediately began cooperating with prosecutors¶

Hunkered down in • hotel meat teams of ficia questioned Rothstein for days about everyone he haS ever done business with. One name, however, quickly stood out — Roberto Settled¶

SC0tt Rothstein CBS¶

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(3m7/2010)¶

Prosecutors describe Dement/m.5er IM as 'associates' of Settinen. They operated a private security firm called Five Star Executive Protection a Investigation. According to the attorney for Dromethauser. Frye Star did extensive work for Rothstein. providing security for Rothstein's borne and ha businesses. They were test heed by Roenten several mars ago to provide security for Casa Casawina — the former Versate Mansion — after Rothstein bought the property.¶

John Gibes, the spiels' agent in charge of the FBI's Miami Field Office, said Settinen is someone the rods have been interested in for years¶

'This operation code named Paean Blues began in 2006 when Italian National Police provided the FBI with information about Setbrieri," Gilles sad¶

But in as those years. the FBI had been unable to bu Id any sort of criminal case against Setonen. That is. until Rothstein came along.¶

Based on sources familiar with the investigation. as well as details contained in the indictment., on November 8, five days after returnee from Morocco. Rothstein was directed by federal agents to contact Sottisen and the others He pretended he need the men to help him destroy incriminatng financial records before federal agents could find them.¶

He also &tragedy asked them to help move some of his Ponsi scheme money to off shore bank accounts¶

Rothstein, however, was front page news and reports were already surfacing he was cooperating with the FBI.¶

So in order le make the undercover operation work. Rothstein had to puteedy I cooperative with the FBI¶

¶

On November 9th. in • move carefully orchestrated by federal agents, Rothstein showed up at the Capital Gripe for • martini This video was even posted by Broward New Times.¶

Conbnuing the charade. Rothstein that same day granted an interview with Channel 7. Once again, he StraSSed he was not Cooperating w4h faders) euthOntleS.¶

After years conning others to make Minted rich. Rothstein was now using those skills on behalf of the federal government Md the feds say he was successful¶

'As alleged in the indictment Settinen, Dromerhauser and Ros were pad of a conspiracy to launder 10 million it illicit funds; Gilboa said during Wednesday's press conference¶

In January. as federal agents in Miami continued to build • cafe against Settineri, a high level meeting took place in Italy¶

Agents and prosecutors from Miami and Brooklyn. as well as Justice Department officials from Washington. flew across the Atlantic to meet with their itaian counterparts¶

Italian prosecutors were working on a massive indictment spinet twenty suspected members of the Patermo-based crime organisation. Sant Wile de Gesu. Md in New York. prosecutors were building a separate case against three alleged members of the Gambino crime family.¶

The Miami case involving Setbnen had finally given them the link they had been wading for.¶

The group agreed they would coordinate they cases and make the arrests simultaneously.¶

Raffaele Grassi. a Moe director in the Italian National Police, thrived in South Florida last week with a handful of a the Settinen operation¶

O¶

'The important intermediacy in the US was Roberto Sehnert a man from Palermo who has been living in Miami kit • long lime: Grassi said. 'He has important ties to the American Mafia famtatra of Gambino and Colombo. Through Roberto Settinen, La Cosa Nostra was eying to open new connections in the US and his connections would enable the Italian organization to Infiltrate new markets."¶

'Today is a very important day in the tight against the criminal organisation of La Cosa Nosey?' Oday'a results are me fruit of a very complicated investigation caned out by the Italian State Prthce together with the FBI both in Italy and¶

Just how complicated was the investigation? Not wanting to reveal Rothstein's rcea Attorney Sloman only offered this cryptic response when asked what brought the Italians and the Americans together¶

"alb had mutual interests that overlapped with one another," he said. Y I wAahr about that'¶

In advance of these arrests. Rothstein was moved out of to for his own protection.¶

Sources tell CBS4 News that because of his cooperation p stein wit be entering the federal witness protection program — meaning he will serve his peon time for the POOL scheme under a ddferent name end in a Outside of Florida.¶

Ulbmiltely. Rothstein is hoping he cooperation in the Behind cese will shave years from his prison sentence. He is facing up to 100 years in raison alter pleading chatty to live counts ofmoney laundering and wire fraud Similar Pont cases around the United States. however, have yielded sentences of around 40 years in proton. Rothstein is scheduled to be sentenced in May.¶

In addition to the Schoen case. Rothstein is also helping federal authorities identify the other players in the Pont scheme. Md he is providing information on how campaign finance laws were routinely violated.¶

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