Debra Villegas Forfeits House, Maserati, Prepares to Plead Guilty

As she prepares to plead guilty to money-laundering in connection with Scott Rothstein's massive Ponzi scheme, Debra Villegas has already forfeited a house and car that Rothstein bought her. Villegas, former chief operating officer at Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler, has handed over her $475,000 house in Weston and her 2009 Maserati...

By Lisa Rab

June 10, 2010

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As she prepares to plead guilty to money-laundering in connection with Scott Rothstein's massive Ponzi scheme, Debra Villegas has already forfeited a house and car that Rothstein bought her.

Villegas, former chief operating officer at Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler, has handed over her $475,000 house in Weston and her 2009 Maserati Gran Turismo to federal prosecutors.

Tomorrow, she's expected to plead guilty to a felony charge of money laundering. U.S. District Judge William Zloch will ask for a "full confession," according to court documents.

Villegas was Rothstein's right-hand woman at the firm, a loyal employee for more than a decade. She allegedly helped him transfer money and fabricate documents in the scheme that lured victims to invest in bogus lawsuit settlements, according to the information filed against her.

Villegas' Maserati was auctioned last week for $90,000. Proceeds from the sale of Rothstein's riches are to be used to pay restitution to victims of the scheme.
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