US seizes RI mansions, NY apartment from Fla. attorney accused of running $1B fraud scheme

US goes after Fla. lawyer’s RI, NY properties

MIAMI — Federal authorities are seizing two Rhode Island mansions and a New York City apartment from a Florida lawyer accused of masterminding a $1 billion fraud scheme.

An amended forfeiture complaint against attorney Scott Rothstein lists two adjacent multimillion-dollar homes on Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay. The complaint filed last week also lists a $6 million Manhattan apartment and a $7.2 million home in Boca Raton.

The FBI says Rothstein orchestrated a $1 billion fraud scheme involving investments in fake legal settlements.

No criminal charges have been filed, but prosecutors have moved to seize Rothstein’s numerous properties, luxury cars, boats and other assets. Investors have filed lawsuits against Rothstein and others.