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Ex-BSO Lt. Sentenced For Role In Rothstein Ponzi Scheme

FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSmiami/AP) — Another player in former attorney Scott Rothstein's $1.2 billion Ponzi fraud has faced the music for his role in the scam.

On Monday, former Broward Sheriff's lieutenant David Benjamin, 48, was sentenced to five years in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy.

Court documents show Benjamin was paid about $185,000 for assisting Rothstein in several ways, including having another lawyer's ex-wife arrested falsely to gain advantage in a child custody fight. Former BSO detective Jeff Poole is being sentenced Thursday after pleaded guilty to civil rights conspiracy in that arrest.

Prosecutors say Benjamin also told other deputies to force a female escort to leave the state when her boyfriend threatened to expose her relationship with Rothstein partner Stuart Rosenfeldt.

Rothstein is serving 50 years in prison.

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