It's all unraveling for high-rolling Florida attorney & businessman Scott Rothstein, who has has been accused of orchestrating a massive scheme Ponzi scheme, defrauding a number of partners and investors out of hundreds of millions of dollars.
Rothstein originally fled the country (to beautiful Morocco!) in October as his empire began to crumble but returned to face the music, and federal prosecutors.
The list of victims, however, continues to grow. The latest casualty? The famed Versace mansion, Casa Casuarina, and everyone there employed. Rothstein, as a member of the Bova Group, was a minority stakeholder of the playground for the privileged, which featured a restaurant, nightclub, hotel & private members club. Casa Casuarina's restaurant was scheduled to be open Monday, under the guidance of new executive chef, Wolfgang Birk.
Deidre Wollard of Luxist.com reports:
Rothstein, who is part owner of the property, has been accused of swindling investors in a Ponzi scheme which took in hundreds of millions of dollars.
Just a few weeks ago executive chef Wolfgang Birk moved from Washington D.C. to South Beach to take over the new Italian restaurant at Casa Casuarina but on Monday he was escorted out of the building by police along with the mansion's other employees. The restaurant was supposed to open this week. The employees are out of work and their payrolls will be hung up in court while Rothstein's complicated legal tangles are sorted out. Rothstein's Bova Group had taken over management of the entire property, including the hotel, restaurant, nightclub, and the private membership club.
We can all agree there is a special place in hell (8th Circle? We haven't read Dante since high school.) for Ponzi schemers, but not only has Rothstein, allegedly, cost a several people their financial security and employment...he's cost South Beach an amazing venue (allegedly). Certainly a lesser crime...but really, Rothstein?
All hope is not lost, however. The majority owner of Casa Casuarina, Peter Loftin, has plans in the works to reopen.
Bob Norman of The Broward-Palm Beach New Times Blog reports:
[Loftin's] representative said Loftin is in talks with a new management company and hopes to reopen the property at least partially by next weekend. However, no deal has been inked. He said recent renovations being done by the Bova Group were stopped and Rothstein left behind hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid bills.
Well, here's to hoping Loftin is able to get a new deal together for the beloved Versace Mansion.
Enjoy some Plum TV footage of Casa Casuarina. Here's to hoping Loftin is able to get a new deal together for the beloved Versace Mansion and we'll be able to film more in the future.
- Behind The Gates: Casa Casuarina (Watch Video)
- Out & About Miami: Casa Casuarina (Watch Video)
Bonus Rothstein-Casuarina Fun Fact: Scott Rothestein was married at Casa Casuarina in January 2008 in $1 million, three-day ceremony which featured over 400 guests, including Florida Gov. Charlie Crist.
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