Another Rothstein Ponzi Associate Pleads Guilty
MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) – Another former employee of convicted Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein pled guilty Friday to federal fraud conspiracy charges.
Prosecutors say 42-year-old Marybel Feiss was an administrative assistant who helped coordinate political events and illegal campaign contributions from Rothstein's now-defunct law firm to a variety of political candidates, most notably, John McCain's presidential election campaign. As a result of the contributions, Rothstein was named a delegate to the 2008 Republican National Convention and was appointed as a member of the Judicial Nominating Committee for the State of Florida.
The goal was to increase the firm's political influence.
Feiss is the eighth person including Rothstein to plead guilty in the $1.2 billion scam, which involved investments in phony legal settlements. Prosecutors say more people will be charged and dozens of lawsuits have been filed by wronged investors.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 4th in West Palm Beach before U.S. District Judge Kenneth A. Marra. Feiss could be sentenced to a maximum five-years in prison.
Rothstein is currently serving a 50-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to racketeering, money laundering and fraud. He is serving the sentence in an undisclosed location after helping authorities prosecute a reputed Mafia figure. Authorities have been selling off Rothstein's homes, boats, flashy cars and other assets to compensate wronged investors.
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