Scott Rothstein Prevented From Answering Questions About Charlie Crist, Mel Martinez

Before Scott Rothstein sounded like he was about to soil himself over questions about the murder of Melissa Britt Lewis during the ninth day of his bankruptcy deposition, objections from Assistant U.S. District Attorney Lawrence LaVecchio made things interesting again.Attorney Mary Barzee Flores filled up pages of the transcript on...

By Matthew Hendley

January 3, 2012

[
        {
          "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
          "component": "16971022",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "15769925",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Rectangle 2x - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782206",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782207",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

Before Scott Rothstein sounded like he was about to soil himself over questions about the murder of Melissa Britt Lewis during the ninth day of his bankruptcy deposition, objections from Assistant U.S. District Attorney Lawrence LaVecchio made things interesting again.

Attorney Mary Barzee Flores filled up pages of the transcript on the morning of December 22 asking Rothstein questions about his crooked ways, specifically about all the people he's conned.

Rothstein was allowed to answer questions -- all in the affirmative -- as to whether he'd conned several politicians, including Sen. John McCain, former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, and even former President George W. Bush. When he was asked the same question of former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and former Sen. Mel Martinez, that was apparently out of bounds.

From the transcript:

Q    You fooled Senator John McCain?
A    Yes.
Q    You fooled United States Senator Mel Martinez?
MR. LAVECCHIO: Objection.
BY MS. BARZEE-FLORES:
Q    You fooled United States Senator Joe Lieberman?
A    Yes.
Q    You fooled Florida Governor Charlie Crist?
MR. LAVECCHIO: Objection.
BY MS. BARZEE-FLORES:
Q    You fooled California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger?
A    Yes.
Q    You fooled presidential candidate Sarah Palin?
A    Yes.
Q    You fooled the president, George W. Bush?
A    Yes.

Not surprisingly, Rothstein also wasn't allowed to answer several questions about the Broward Judicial Nominating Commission -- which Crist appointed him to.

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of South Florida, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.