New video of Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein introducing John McCain and Charlie Crist at a pair of fundraisers, the latter on May 20, 2008, at his side. It was dug up by McCain's opponent in the Senate primary race, J.D. Hayworth. You can read Hayworth's press release after the jump.
Phoenix, AZ (JULY 1) - Sen. John McCain is caught on tape at two Florida fundraisers hosted by a convicted felon - who will spend the rest of his life in prison for a Ponzi scheme that helped finance McCain's 2008 Presidential campaign - who raised more money for McCain than anyone else - and who McCain now says he "can't pick out of a lineup."
"One recently discovered and never-before released video shows the two men giving each other a 'man-hug', shaking hands, and slapping backs in a bar while felon Scott Rothstein puffs on a cigar. Another tape shows McCain at Rothstein's home with supporters," said Mark Sanders, spokesman for U.S. Senate Candidate J. D. Hayworth (R-AZ).
After Rothstein gives McCain a glowing introduction at one event, Rothstein is heard on the tape saying "I'm plugging for some kind of position with the White House" if McCain wins.
Rothstein raised $1.1 million for McCain's failed presidential campaign in 2008 while running an elaborate Ponzi scheme that swindled investors out of billions of dollars. Much of the money Rothstein stole ended up in McCain's campaign accounts.
Last month, Rothstein was sentenced to 50 years in prison.
When confronted with the connection between McCain and Rothstein, McCain's spokesman said, "John McCain couldn't pick him [Rothstein] out of a lineup."
"The tapes don't lie; McCain does," Sanders said. "These men were friends, good friends. In fact, in one segment of the tape, McCain thanks Rothstein for his 'friendship and tremendous support.'"
The Hayworth campaign has called on McCain to admit he knows Rothstein, to no avail; to donate the money he took from Rothstein to a fund to help the victims of the Ponzi scheme, to no avail; and to name and denounce the other Ponzi scheme con artists who gave McCain money, to no avail.
"The senator thinks he is above the law, but he will have to explain his ignorance of who his friends are and apologize to the people of Arizona in the upcoming debates for letting them down by consorting with criminals," Sanders said.
