In late 2009, the South Florida community learned of the scandal that became the largest Ponzi scheme in Florida history. In this breathtakingly ambitious scam, one of Fort Lauderdale's top philanthropists, attorney Scott Rothstein, stole $1.4 billion from investors and charitable organizations to finance his opulent lifestyle. A man whose wealth and status seemed to come from nowhere, Rothstein infiltrated and took advantage of the communities of South Florida through charm and manipulation. In this story of greed, betrayal, corruption, sex, and murder, no one is innocent.

Through exacting research, author Chuck Malkus has uncovered the truths behind the ultimate Ponzi scheme that deceived hundreds. From Rothstein's humble beginnings to his sudden rise to become one of the most powerful men in Florida, the details of his deception are chronicled here. Malkus's assessment of the Sunshine State villain is accompanied by input from community members and psychologists. The man who built Fort Lauderdale's richest law firm was far from generous-he was a destructive con artist who plundered investor accounts to build his own fortune. Despite Rothstein's lavish lifestyle, he was unable to escape judgment both from the law and from the society he used to manipulate.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chuck Malkus, president of Malkus Communications Group, is a nationally recognized public relations executive who specializes in crisis communications. He has contributed to publications such as the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the South Dade News Leader, and CityView Magazine and was featured as an expert discussing Scott Rothstein's Ponzi scheme on CNBC's American Greed. A community advocate, Malkus was inspired to write this story to shed light on the true Rothstein. An active speaker and media training consultant, Malkus lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with his wife, Sandra.