Former Rothstein Partner Receives Prison Sentence

A South Florida lawyer on Friday received a 30-month prison sentence, the consequences of getting mixed up with Ponzi-scheme operator Scott Rothstein.

Russell Adler, one of three name partners in the now-defunct law firm Mr. Rothstein founded, received his sentence from a federal judge after pleading guilty to making illegal contributions to political campaigns at Mr. Rothstein’s request.

“Being the A in RRA turned into an ironic curse that has ruined my name and haunts and humiliates me to this day,” Mr. Adler said in court Friday, according to the Palm Beach Daily Business Review (sub. req.).

His 30-month sentence will be followed by two years’ supervised release.

Mr. Rothstein notoriously admitted to operate a Ponzi scheme that bilked investors in bogus legal settlements out of well over $1 billion. He’s currently serving a 50-year prison sentence.

According to prosecutors, Mr. Adler made political contributions that the Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler law firm, which has since collapsed into bankruptcy, then illegally reimbursed. The payments were made in order evade campaign finance limits on individual donations.

The third name partner in the firm, Stuart Rosenfeldt, has also pleaded guilty to a criminal charge related to illegal political contributions as well as conspiracy to engage in bank fraud. He’s due to be sentenced Sept. 24.

Write to Jacqueline Palank at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @PalankJ.