The Ultimate Ponzi: The Scott Rothstein Story - Hardcover

Malkus, Chuck

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1455617865 ISBN 13: 9781455617869

Publisher: Pelican Publishing, 2013

Synopsis

This true crime expos details the exploits of a Florida lawyer and master con artist who stole more than a billion dollars before getting caught.

In what became one of the most ruthless Ponzi schemes in United States history, Fort Lauderdale attorney Scott Rothstein stole $1.4 billion to finance his opulent lifestyle. It�s a story of corruption, murder, sex, and suicide in which no one is innocent. From Rothstein�s humble beginnings in the Bronx through his sudden rise to become one of the most powerful men in Florida, the full story is revealed in The Ultimate Ponzi.

An employment lawyer of flamboyant charm and seemingly endless wealth, Rothstein infiltrated South Florida society by posing as a philanthropist. All the while, he was using criminal kingpin methods to corrupt one prominent businessman after another. But in late 2009, South Florida learned that Rothstein was far from generous�he was a destructive con artist who plundered investor accounts to build his own fortune.

With photographs and input from community members and psychologists, The Ultimate Ponzi reveals the man behind the scam that deceived hundreds. Despite Rothstein�s lavish lifestyle, he was unable to escape judgment both from the law and from the society he used to manipulate.

About this title

About the Author

Chuck Malkus is a business strategist who has received national acclaim as an expert on public relations, marketing and reputation management. Malkus' book, Keep Your Prmise, shares a true-life lesson about patience and consequences.  A keynote speaker, Malkus translates his rich industry perspective into inspirational keynotes that provide value to employees at every level, from young professionals to CEOs. Known as a charismatic storyteller, Chuck shares personal experiences which include the importance of strong business ethics and how individuals and businesses can grow and enhance their brands.

From the Back Cover

"Scott Rothstein's flashy forays into the worlds of sex, law, politics and charities would even make Bernie Madoff blush."
-Kevin Gale, editor, South Florida Business Journal

"From his bird's-eye view, Chuck Malkus details Fort Lauderdale con man Scott Rothstein's vulgar vanities in The Ultimate Ponzi-and reveals the piggish personality behind Florida's largest investment swindle."
-Jay Weaver, Miami Herald

"A fresh look at a riveting downward spiral. As is spelled out: the warning signs were ignored which lead to a spectacular crash. In The Ultimate Ponzi Chuck Malkus pulls back the curtains on Fort Lauderdale's own Bernie Madoff."
-Kerry Sanders, NBC News, Miami Bureau

Fort Lauderdale attorney Scott Rothstein shocked his community when his attempt to gain status and fortune became his ultimate downfall. The full story of the $1.4 billion Ponzi scheme is told here for the first time.
From Rothstein's water-front home and lavish watches to his fifty-year sentence in federal prison, the South Florida socialite and philanthropist is now the people's very own villain. With the help of corrupt politicians, public officers, and judges, the manipulative and destructive Rothstein took advantage of investors, charitable organizations, government officials, and fellow lawyers, resulting in theft, murder, seduction, and suicide. Through research, interviews with community members and psychologists, and first-hand accounts, the truths of Rothstein's greed and deceit are detailed here.
Chuck Malkus, an accomplished public relations executive, is the president of Malkus Communications Group. He has contributed articles to various publications and has appeared on CNBC's American Greed as an expert on the Rothstein scam. He resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with his wife, Sandra.

From the Inside Flap

In what became one of the most ruthless Ponzi schemes in United States history, Fort Lauderdale attorney Scott Rothstein stole $1.4 billion to finance his opulent lifestyle. In this story of betrayal, greed, corruption, murder, sex, and suicide, no one is innocent. From Rothstein's humble beginnings in the Bronx through his sudden rise to become one of the most powerful men in Florida, the full story has not been told until now.

An employment lawyer whose wealth and status seemed to come from nowhere, Rothstein infiltrated the communities of South Florida with charm and manipulation. With unexpected flamboyance, he bought his way into society and took advantage of charitable organizations and prominent individuals. Using methods reminiscent of a criminal kingpin, Rothstein corrupted businessmen and investors. During the later months of 2009, South Florida learned of the scandal that involved the area's top philanthropist. The man who built Fort Lauderdale's richest law firm was far from generous-he was a destructive con artist who plundered investor accounts to build his own fortune.

Chronicled here are the uncovered truths behind the scam that deceived hundreds, accompanied by photographs and input from community members and psychologists on the character of the Sunshine State villain. Despite Rothstein's lavish lifestyle, he was unable to escape judgment both from the law and from the society he used to manipulate.

Chuck Malkus, a nationally recognized public relations executive and crisis communications expert, is the president of Malkus Communications Group. He has contributed columns to publications such as the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the South Dade News Leader, and CityView Magazine and was featured as an expert discussing Scott Rothstein's Ponzi scheme on CNBC's American Greed. A community advocate, Malkus was inspired to write this story to shed light on the true Rothstein, who took advantage of hospitals, children's charities, and thousands of citizens.

Since the 1980s, Malkus has served on the board of directors for numerous South Florida organizations, including the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, the American Red Cross, and Neighbors 4 Neighbors, of which he was a founding co-chairman. His clients include the Broadway-style Havana Night Club-The Show, Advanced Green Technologies, and several law firms. Malkus also serves as a speaker on a variety of topics, including media training and crisis communications. He lives in sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with his wife, Sandra.

Edition details

• Publisher: Pelican Publishing
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1455617865
• ISBN 13: 9781455617869
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 248