Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer

Trucker Hits Stray Cow on Highway and Dies. Is anyone at fault?

Steve Lombardi — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:01:00 GMT

Who’s to blame when a stray cow comes in the path of a moving vehicle? I’m sure that’s just what the family of the driver of a semi trailer is asking today. At about 2:15 a.m. on Tuesday October 20^th 2009 a still unidentified man hit a cow in the middle of Iowa Highway 14 between Chariton and Millerton. After the truck hit the cow it went into a ditch and then into a creek. Apparently the truck driver died. In rural Iowa this isn’t such a rare occurrence.

With cases like this one, lawyer-talk would refer to it as animal at-large case. For layman it’s a black cow standing on the highway. I know it makes no sense to most people but the law isn’t interested in the pop culture or hip talk or any talk that takes away from its history. The law is passed on down from generation to generation of lawyers, judges and some farmer legislators. We have to talk the same language and so it’s not something that can change with generations. Maybe that’s one reason why law school is difficult; we talk what must seem like a foreign language to most people. But that’s the nature of the law.

So this cow in the motorway is standing there and it causes an accident. The Iowa Supreme Court on November 13, 2009 published its opinion in Thompson vs. Kaczcinski and Lockwood, No. 08-0647 involving slightly different facts but resting on the same legal principles applicable in the news case under consideration. In its decision the Court agreed with the Iowa District Court a duty could not rest upon Iowa Code Section 318.3 but could rest upon the common law. Kaczcinski had to do with a disassembled trampoline that wasn’t secured to the ground and blew into the roadway causing an obstruction that resulted in Thompson swerving to avoid it, then rolling his car and suffering injury.

I find the Court’s narrow reading of the legislature’s intent behind 318.3 unsettling. Recent thinking of how the courts are to act when interpreting the law relegates the duties of the third branch to that of a scrivener. The judicial branch shouldn’t be mindless robots doing the bidding of the uneducated legislature. The judicial branch is supposed to be the branch of government with a heart, soul and mind where justice is more than just your day in court.

Most laypeople reading t his will scratch their heads wondering what the Court is talking about. Suffice to say they sent it back to Judge Goodhue in Madison County for trial on the common law negligence count. That means the Reverend Thompson gets his day in court for the jury to decide whether the owners were negligent in not tethering it down to the ground and then not acting quick enough after the storm to secure the trampoline from the highway.

The part of the decision most people would find quirky but right on the money are the inferences by concurring Justice Cady mentioning patio furniture and things we have in our yards that might act similar with wind gusts. While I appreciate the thought it’s not likely a picnic table has the same sail-like qualities as does a large sheet trampoline.

To read Thompson vs. Kaczcinski and Lockwood, No. 08-0647 follow the link.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Steve Lombardi

Where is defensive medicine when you need it?

Steve Lombardi — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:48:00 GMT

I wonder if I could die from defensive medicine not being practiced in Iowa.

Over the weekend Barbara drove me to the local clinic because I was sick as a dog and coughing so hard my lungs and chest and upper back muscles ached. The doctor walks in looks in my ears and throat, listens to my heart and lungs and says he’s putting me on antibiotics. And I thought what no x-ray or blood tests? Just drugs? No definitive diagnosis? Wait a minute. I thought about H1N1 and everything written about people dying from it so I rhetorically stated, “Maybe I have N1H1.”

All he said was “Yeah you might.”

And that was it. He talked for a few more minutes and left the exam room.

Which made me think, hey wait a minute where is all that defensive medicine I’m hearing about? How come I’m not getting unnecessary x-rays and stuff? After all if anyone is going to get defensive and unnecessary tests it’s got to be a Plaintiff attorney who even the Boogie Man has been led to believe are the one’s to fear for destroying the economic viability of this country. I read where even a house cat had its H1N1 diagnosed. How come it got a definitive diagnosis and not me? What test definitely tells you it's swine flu? Do you think they diagnosed the feline with a CAT scan?

But again I got nothing, no defensive medicine, and no unnecessary tests and was left wondering, “Does defensive medicine really exist?”

Maybe defensive medicine died from the H1N1 virus….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wK1127fHQ4

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Steve Lombardi

What happens when a member of your hunting party decides he wants to take “random target practice”?

Steve Lombardi — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:01:00 GMT

In this case the death of an 18-year-old from Manchester was caused by accidentally being shot by a member of his own hunting party. These men were hunting on Monday October 19^th 2009 about one mile north of Dundee when a member of the hunting party decided to take some random target practice and accidentally shot and killed a fellow hunter. The member of his hunting party was unidentified according to the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office. The dead man was out of sight behind some dense foliage when the accident occurred officials are reporting.

Like a fact situation out of law school case books this case intrigues anyone who takes a shine to the law.

So what are the rules of your hunting party? Make sure you know the rules and that all members of the hunting party are in agreement. Never randomly fire a weapon without knowing where ever member of the party is located. Do you have a group pow-wow to discuss where everyone will be and how the group will proceed? Does it take place before everyone removes the safety? Or are you all just playing Russian roulette? Is this just “one of those things that happens” or are there ways to avoid the risks associated with hunting in groups?

It shouldn’t take you long to recall a most recent incident involving very prominent people who were hunting quail when a member of the party was shot in the face. (February 11, 2006) For a list of articles follow the link. Ignoring the comedic crap someone added listen to what the Vice President says about fault. Hunting with a party requires knowing the location of other party members before you pull the trigger. Make sure your homeowner’s insurance covers any liability you may have in the event you shoot another member of your hunting party.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR7CH9zvD6s

I rest my case.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Steve Lombardi

Man killed in plant explosion, sparks or static electricity?

Steve Lombardi — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:01:00 GMT

In Columbia County, Wisconsin a 47 year old man died Sunday October 18^th, in an explosion in the American Packaging Corporation plant, according to the Wisconsin State Journal news source. Jeffrey Doxtator was from Columbus and had worked at the plant for 13 years. Fire Chief Randy Koehn said that Doxtator was using a handheld grinder which ignited sparks in an area of the plant designated hazardous. This employee error is thought to have caused the explosion and not the lack of safety precautions by the company. The Wisconsin plant has had good safety history according to electronic federal safety records.

At the time of the blast, 6pm, the only other workers in the building were the maintenance and janitorial crew, which evacuated the building. Doxtator, still in the building, was rescued by the firefighters and brought to Columbus Community Hospital. The coroner indicated Doxtator’s death to be from “multiple internal injuries due to blunt force trauma from the explosion.” The cost of the explosion to the building is estimated at $1.2 million.

American Packaging Corporation is privately held and has three plant locations: Columbia County, Wisconsin; Story City, Iowa; and the headquarters in Rochester, N.Y. The corporation produces specialty packaging for consumer goods.

At the time this blog was written the investigation of the Sunday explosion was still underway.

I'm not sure the error can be said to be that of the employee. That conclusion was stated as a fact at a time when no investigation had taken place. It would be important to know what actually caused the explosion: the tool being used may have had no effect on causing an explosion. Also I'd want to know who provided the tools, who selected the tools, what warnings were given about using tools in this area of the plant, whether it had been done previously without incident and with management's knowledge, the exact location and makeup of this department along with a whole host of other issues to be explored. I just don't agree with the conclusion reached by the news paper reporter or whoever decided what the cause of the explosion. There is more to it than a cursory examination would show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TcNDozWQiM

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Steve Lombardi

Financial Wrongdoing: Are you a Ponzi victim?

Steve Lombardi — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:01:00 GMT

If you think you may be a Ponzi victim, then ask yourself this question: Is this abnormal insecurity?

In all of this security is there an overriding sense of insecurity?

In college I was a psychology major at the University of Iowa. On my wall was poster with a simple statement: "Just because your paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you." Most visitors thought it was funny, I always saw profoundness in that statement. Maybe that's why I became a lawyer. But then again maybe I was just being paranoid. We’ll save that for another day.

Today I’m taking a break from the post I planned because it’s important we analyze the Ponzi schemer environment for those who would be future victims. Join me today as we walk the hallways and inner sanctum of the law firm of Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler. Like the admitted Ponzi schemer Bernie Madoff there are in many respects similarities to the way each constructed an office around secrecy and security.

You can read about the Madoff office culture by following this link.

The offices of RRA appear in many ways to be just a normal law office and in other ways like a movie set designed by a set designer suffering from paranoia. This is a law firm that practices law and that made its name on employment law; and yet the way it was set up you’d think they were charged with securing the recipe for Coke or Colonel Sanders original recipe.

The walls are lined with photos and letters extolling the virtues of the principal lawyer. They include Florida’s Governor, national politicians, celebrities, sports stars and letters bragging about philanthropy. Certainly a secure person need not brag about the good they do. To me this screams out “I need someone to constantly remind me how great I am!”

Normally law offices have some level of security that corresponds to the type of work they do. Our office being one of civil litigation has minimal security; mostly controlling access to the computer data files and paper files. I’ve visited criminal law offices that have some level of entryway security to screen entry to the firm. But I’ve never seen anything like this firm in Fort Lauderdale. It is the quintessential paradox of security vs insecurity. The workers must have had to be paranoid about having conversations anywhere. The security seems to be for one and only one person’s insecurity. At least that’s the way the YouTube video clips show it. There are microphones in the hallway ceiling alongside blackened camera lenses that record movements and sounds of anyone within eye and earshot. The secretarial pool is more of the same with seemingly innocuous metal plates in the ceiling tiles turning out to be not-so-hidden microphones. I’m left to wonder, if you didn’t trust them why did you hire them in the first place?

To connect with the principal partner, Scott Rothstein one needed to gain entrance to another locked section of the firm. Much like Bernie Madoff’s inner sanctum this one, protecting Scott Rothstein, was a system of security that created both the illusion of importance and provided a necessary relief from too many questions being asked. It reminds me of the saying; a good defense is your best offense. All of this and yet I get the feeling that the rest of the firm was busy doing the serious legal work of it’s clientele in a manner not unlike a normal law office.

Here we have a video tour of the inner sanctum of the firm; a look-see which seems odd given the fact its principal member is the focus of a criminal investigation and whether or not charges are filed civil lawsuits, that include the firm, can’t be far behind. Be that what it may, like driving by a car accident I can’t help but crane my neck to see the carnage.

Walk with the cameraman as he tours the hallways or Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler. And take the time to read the emails someone has posted and alleged sent by the person who is the focus of this investigation. And note the themes of security and control. Access to the main proponent is strictly controlled. That limits information to those who might ask too many questions. To do this there is the empowerment of those desperate for access to a position of power they have not rightly earned. Everything about this says there is something wrong. From a common sense point of view it makes little sense. And yet it succeeds in fooling those who are used to following the crowd or who are greedy for a success they did not earn.

I often times talk about my years as a youth soccer coach and the deleterious effects of the participation trophy. The Ponzi Scheme requires participants suffering from the Participation Trophy Syndrome. (Give me something I didn’t earn; make me a winner when I’m really a loser. Increase my return on investment to a point beyond the market. Being simply rich isn’t enough; I want to be filthy rich.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6xmolmFjsY&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBv_9x_BFVY&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRvwpSEO4iY&feature=player_embedded

And again, read the email messages and ask yourself if this is what you expect from a successful attorney running a major law firm? Or is this the Peter Principle in full bloom.

One thing we can all conclude is that the Emperor has no clothes.

If you think you may be the victim of a Ponzi Scheme, a parent with a child in youth sports or just a parent wishing to raise a child with good strong character, then read more about the Participation Trophy Syndrome and Professional Misconduct on the Des Moines Injuryboard and The Verdict at the Lombardi Law Firm websites. Young adults with good strong character have been allowed to experience failure, to be losers and have learned how to pick themselves up and to win on their own two feet. As always I welcome your comments.

CAVEAT: And at this point remember that wrongdoing has only been alleged, no charges have been filed against anyone at the businesses mentioned and NO person has clearly admitted to any wrongdoing. All persons mentioned are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

FINANCIAL MISCONDUCT: Is the answer to frivolous Wall Street ...

The Participation Trophy Syndrome Wall Street ... FINANCIAL MISCONDUCT: Is the answer to frivolous Wall Street bonuses, The Participation Trophy Syndrome. ... 101k

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... or lottery? FINANCIAL MISCONDUCT: Is the answer to frivolous Wall Street bonuses, The Participation Trophy Syndrome. If the owner ... 101k

Driving While Under the Influence of a Video Game | InjuryBoard ...

... To learn more about how the Participation Trophy Syndrome infects society visit the Des Moines InjuryBoard. ... She epitomizes the Participation Trophy Syndrome. ... 101k

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... degree. This goes right back to the Participation Trophy Syndrome. You ... The Participation Trophy Syndrome Wall Street ... FINANCIAL MISCONDUCT ... 101k

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... She epitomizes the Participation Trophy Syndrome. ... FINANCIAL MISCONDUCT: Is the answer to frivolous Wall Street bonuses, The Participation Trophy Syndrome. ... 101k

Tradition is Tradition and Palin Should Bite the Head off the ...

... This debacle demonstrates why Participation Trophies are so wrong. I wonder if the Russians were ever nervous with Governor Palin being so close to Russia. ... 101k

Iowa Board of Medicine Charges Surgeon Involving Consent to ...

On July 8, 2009 an Iowa surgeon was charged by the Iowa Board of Medicine as follows: Paragraph 12. The Board alleges that Respondent failed to conform to the ... 101k

InjuryBoard Des Moines Archives | April 2009

Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer | April 2009 Archives | InjuryBoard Des Moines. 101k

American Politics - What can a sewer plant controversy teach us ...

... Participation Trophy Syndrome –. Parents all across the United States demand that youth soccer hand out participation trophies. ... 101k

Contaminated Foods and Food Poisoning | InjuryBoard Des Moines

... Is the participation trophy syndrome that we engrained in this generation coming to fruition? "Hey I showed up. Now where is my pay check?". ... 101k

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Steve Lombardi

Texas A&M construction site at Zarzamora St. and Loop 410 Ditch Collapse

Steve Lombardi — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:01:00 GMT

A 45-year-old construction worker was in a construction site ditch while co-workers were removing a tree. As they pulled the tree out the ditch collapsed trapping the man in the ditch and burying him alive. Which leads to the question, why was the one worker in the unsupported ditch as the tree was pulled out of the ditch wall?

It’s basic safety when doing tunnel or ditch work on a construction site to support the walls. Another question is why weren’t they using a trench box? Look at the linked articles below. Here is one on point: Construction Site Safety - A trench box would have saved the Georgian tunnel worker. And after you read the article, this being a Texas case, call an attorney to assist you with your claim; assuming Texas still allows workers any rights.

Video Library | Lombardi Law Firm

Newton, Iowa Construction Site Wall Collapse Injures Three Workers · Illinois Highway ...... Food Safety: Georgia Peanut Butter Paste and food poisoning ...
www.lombardilaw.com/video/ - Cached –

Peosta, Iowa trench collapse is why construction workers need to ...

Jun 30, 2009 ... Bartow County, Georgia – The construction site in Bartow County off I-75 exit 296 experienced a trench collapse; then a worker fell 20 feet ...
www.lombardilaw.com/.../peosta-iowa-trench-collapse-is-why-construction-workers-need-to-protect-themselves.cfm - Cached -

The Lombardi Law Firm Blog | Lombardi Law Firm

Bartow County, Georgia – The construction site in Bartow County off I-75 exit 296 experienced a trench collapse; then a worker fell 20 feet and was buried. ...
www.lombardilaw.com/blog/?catid=857 - Cached –

Construction Site Safety - A trench box would have saved the ...

The Lombardi Law Firm Blog | Lombardi Law Firm

Peosta, Iowa trench collapse (Zimmerman) is why construction workers need to protect ..... Food Safety: Georgia Peanut Butter Paste and food poisoning ...
www.lombardilaw.com/blog/?keywordid=13271 –

The Lombardi Law Firm Blog | Lombardi Law Firm

Peosta, Iowa trench collapse (Zimmerman) is why construction workers need to ... VA Hospital and Augusta, Georgia may be exposed to HIV and Hepatitis ...
www.lombardilaw.com/blog/?keywordid=14643 –

Des Moines Accident Attorney and Iowa Worker's Comp Lawyer ...

Newton, Iowa Construction Site Wall Collapse Injures Three Workers · Illinois Highway ...... Food Safety: Georgia Peanut Butter Paste and food poisoning ...
www.lombardilaw.com/ - Cached –

The Lombardi Law Firm Blog | Lombardi Law Firm

Oct 29, 2009 ... Newton, Iowa Construction Site Wall Collapse Injures Three Workers ..... Food Safety: Georgia Peanut Butter Paste and food poisoning ...
www.lombardilaw.com/blog/?keywordid=63673 - Cached –

Attorney Profile | Lombardi Law Firm

Newton, Iowa Construction Site Wall Collapse Injures Three Workers · Illinois Highway ...... Food Safety: Georgia Peanut Butter Paste and food poisoning ...
www.lombardilaw.com/bio/steve-lombardi.cfm - Cached -

Iowa Personal Injury Attorney | Lombardi Law Firm

Newton, Iowa Construction Site Wall Collapse Injures Three Workers · Illinois Highway ..... Food Safety: Georgia Peanut Butter Paste and food poisoning ...
www.lombardilaw.com/practice_areas/ - Cached -

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Steve Lombardi

Did Prime-Time Broward County Sheriff's Office Miss the Boat?

Steve Lombardi — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:01:00 GMT

Remember the post I wrote about the Police Women of Broward County?

TLC Goes from Jon & Kate to, “There’s Always A Good Time to Use A Taser”, August 20, 2009

“Making police work entertaining borders on an unconstitutional exercise of the State of Florida’s police power. A basic function of state government is law enforcement not entertainment. So using government law enforcement resources to entertain the public is wasting those resources and encouraging the perception that the purpose of law enforcement is to take economic, social and financial advantage of criminal activity.”

In that post we met Andrea, a Taser-Toting Deputy on the newest TLC series. The clip used to introduce the show really bothers me: She’s heard to say, “There’s always a good time to use a Taser.” That’s not good law enforcement that’s a sound bite for a promo. Like a TV celebrity she’s cute, has cheeks with dimples, blonde hair, is fit and full of piss and vinegar. Like John and Kate who used to be parents and are now just acting like parents for reality TV, Andrea is a budding TV star who works for the people of Broward County as a member of law enforcement. But is she? Let’s look back at the earlier post. In that post I discussed the propriety of turning the governments’ function of law enforcement into entertainment. It makes little sense to me; after all shouldn’t cops be concerned about the Constitution and effective law enforcement instead of TV ratings? This YouTube clip demonstrates the focus of law enforcement in Broward County seems to be about fame and fortune. Watch it, and then keep it in mind when considering the department’s involvement with Scott Rothstein. Because when you turn on your common sense questions come up about priorities.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RBT6m0LHRM&feature=player_embedded

Like the intuition about Melissa Lewis’ murder the same thread of common sense told me mixing government employees who are carrying out their official-constitutional duties, with reality TV doesn’t add up. After all they aren't being paid to be TV celebrities; they are being paid to be government employees handling law enforcement. Now that the RRA investigation is brewing and I’m left to wonder if the Broward County Sheriff’s Office shouldn’t be removed entirely from the investigation. Broward County has a heck of a mess with mixing business with fame and fortune. Let me explain myself.

Members of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office allegedly were friends with and working for Scott Rothstein. Here is a story from a south Florida blog.

“In a sign that the Rothstein scandal may be heading his way, Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti informed the department today in an email that he has removed his right-hand man, Lt. David Benjamin, as head of the agency's internal affairs department.

It was Benjamin, you'll remember, whopersonally escorted Scott Rothstein to his jet at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport when Rothstein left the country for Morocco on October 27 after learning that his billion-dollar Ponzi scheme was imploding.

Benjamin, who serves as the sheriff's own "executive officer," is a long-time friend of Rothstein, who backed Lamberti in his election last year to the tune of a couple hundred thousand dollars in political cash.

Sheriff's spokesman Jim Leljedal confirmed that the decision was at least in part based on Benjamin's role in the Rothstein saga. He said the sheriff's office has not opened an internal investigation into his ties with Rothstein. “

Sheriff Lamberti Takes Rothstein's Pal Off Internal Affairs Post

The Sheriff’s Office-Rothstein relationship was ongoing [remember Lewis was killed in early 2008] while the deputies were busy shooting the TLC shows. (Show was to start on August 6, 2009.) Was the shooting of the TLC show a distraction that interfered with law enforcement? Was law enforcement in Broward County compromised allowing the Ponzi Team room to operate?

The Loss May Reach $1 Billion – Who Has It?

The amount of money involved with this alleged Ponzi scheme is enormous. Like the Madoff matter finding the money will be a critical part of any investigation. Why either Madoff or Rothstein got away with it for as long as they did is a valid question. So how can people who were involved with the principal person being accused as the mastermind, investigate the case.

``When it's all said and done, I estimate that this scheme could well exceed one billion dollars,'' said FBI Special Agent in Charge John Gillies. Miami Herald, Jay Weaver, Scott Hiaasen and Amy Sherman

So now reflecting back why would a government allow the members of law enforcement to take part in a for-profit TV show that obviously distracts them from their job of efficient and effective law enforcement? Have the citizens of Broward County lost sight of the basic function of government? Is fame and fortune a higher priority than doing their Constitutional duty in a manner consistent with truthfulness and fairness?

And lastly, would the Rothstein matter been nipped in the bud had the Broward County Sheriff’s office not been distracted with shooting a television show?

You be the judge, I rest my case.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRTPKcJGwe4

Even Marina Orlova seems to understand a Ponzi scheme.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3_h8eNgYrU

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Steve Lombardi

RRA Cast of Characters - Is Tony Villegas the Wrong Man? (UPDATED: 11/20/09)

Steve Lombardi — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:25:47 GMT

Have you ever wanted to be a lawyer or FBI investigator? With TV shows like Law & Order, LA Law, Castle and CSI’s being so popular there is probably a little criminal investigation in many of us. But is legal work as easy as it’s made to look in an hour television show?

If you want to see how complicated the matters surrounding Scott Rothstein are take a look at this cast of characters list and alleged roles in the case. Investigators include the Broward County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI who will have their hands full putting this case together. Anyone with information should contact the FBI at the linked contacted information below.

Remember when looking at the facts, we don’t know much at this point. The investigation is ongoing meaning the case isn’t yet public. As for the original crime, the murder of Melissa Lewis is being prosecuted and one man’s life hangs in the balance. He may have been just a convenient focus for those involved with covering up the Ponzi scheme. Simply stated Tony Villegas may be innocent. I have to wonder what agency was involved with the investigation of Ms. Lewis’ murder. Can anyone tell me?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIKRq82IAKU

CAST OF CHARACTERS

MAIN WITNESSES AND PERSONS OF INTEREST

Melissa Britt Lewis – Former attorney at Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler who was found murdered and in a canal.

Scott Rothstein, attorney at Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler. Focus of the investigation and continued stories.

Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler is a law firm in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida where Scott Rothstein worked. 401 E Las Olas Blvd # 1650, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-4252
(954) 522-3456. Also known as RRA. WWW.RRA-Law.com Although the links to the law firm’s website didn’t work on the morning I attempted to acess them, Martindale.com does list the following information.

Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler

Fort Lauderdale, Florida Office

View all offices

Las Olas City Centre, Suite 1650, 401 East Las Olas Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
(Broward Co.) Telephone: 954-522-3456 Fax: 954-527-8663
http://www.rra-law.com

And they appear to have an office in Boca Raton, 5355 Town Center Road, Suite 801, Boca Raton, FL 33486.

Debra Villegas, employee of Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler, who allegedly handled the books.

Tony Villegas, former husband of Debra Villegas and the man charged with Debra Lewis’ murder.

Unidentified Law Firm Employee #1 - At least four people in the Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler firm met with investors or handled money, investors told the Sun Sentinel.

Unidentified Law Firm Employee #2 - At least four people in the Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler firm met with investors or handled money, investors told the Sun Sentinel.

Unidentified Law Firm Employee #3 - At least four people in the Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler firm met with investors or handled money, investors told the Sun Sentinel.

Unidentified Law Firm Employee #4 - At least four people in the Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler firm met with investors or handled money, investors told the Sun Sentinel.

David Boden, general counsel of the law firm, sat in on Rothstein's meetings with investors and represented him in follow-up calls and negotiations.

Finance Company - The investors also identified two people from a finance company in the same building as the law firm. The two people attended meetings and represented themselves as Rothstein's agent and broker, investors said.

Finance Company Employee #1 –

Finance Company Employee #2 -

David Vinikoor – Attorney for David Boden, 48.

Daniel Serber - attorney at Aventura.

Alan Sakowitz - Potential investor, a Miami lawyer, met with Boden and Rothstein.

David Boden - General counsel of the law firm

Stuart Rosenfeldt - Rothstein’s partner.

Paul Lazarus – attorney for Debra Villegas.

Irene Stay – (45) the law firm's chief financial officer

Richard Pearson, 52, president of a company that allegedly has offices in the same building as the law firm, and who it is alleged brokered the settlements for Rothstein.

R.L. Pearson and Associates Inc. – said to be a business involved with Rothstein’s investors.

Nabil Rhazi, an associate in Pearson's company.

Martin Steinberg, an attorney for Pearson.

Frank Spinosa, (48) a regional vice president at TD Bank, handled Rothstein's investment accounts and met with investors.

William Scherer, an attorney representing investors who lost about $98 million

LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES INVOLVED IN THE INVESTIGATION

John Gillies - Miami FBI Special Agent in Charge of the case and the head of the FBI in South Florida

Gilbert Garza - IRS Acting Special Agent in Charge

FBI Investor Contact - rothstein.investment@ic.fbi.gov. or call 800-CALLFBI (800-225-5324).

Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti

Lt. David Benjamin, as head of the Broward County Sheriff’s internal affairs department.

Jim Leljedal – Broward County Sheriff's spokesman.

ALLEGED INVESTORS

Ed (88) and Carol Morse -- who were family friends with Rothstein -- sued Boca Raton decorator Jan Jones in 2006 claiming he botched their job.

Ed Morse Automotive Group - The Morse family's auto empire was founded by Ed and his father in 1946. Today the Ed Morse Automotive Group is run by Morse's son, president and CEO Edward J. ``Ted'' Morse, Jr., 59. The company owns 14 dealerships in Florida and Alabama.

Levy family - Among the alleged investors are the Levy family, owners of Renato Watches.

Attorney Bill Salim, who is representing Levy family members, including Ovadia and Rachel, said in court Thursday that they lost about $15 million to $20 million.

Others: “Rothstein bought into the watch company as a minority shareholder last year, said Daniel Mink, CEO of Renato Watches and son-in-law of Rachel Levy.”

Updated Cast of Characters (November 20, 2009)

Alleged Investors from this linked source: No specific list has been released from the FBI or the promoter. Until one has these names are alleged investors and are subject to change, including deletion.

Todd Snyder - Snyder, a Coconut Grove businessman, alleged friend of stock broker and alleged investor Doug Faulkner. His alleged role isn’t entirely clear.

Doug Faulkner - Is a person who may have invested with Rothstein and who Rothstein may have indicated the existence of whistleblower settlements in a case involving the Dole Food Co.

Dole Food Co. – A company some say was asserted to be the employer in the whistleblower cases, a scenario that Dole denies and some allege Rothstein fabricated.

Andrew Barnett - Who allegedly served as Rothstein's director of corporate development and who they allege was actively promoting the investment scheme and recruiting investors.

Banyon Funding of Las Vegas, associated with Fort Lauderdale businessman George Levin.

Doug Von Allmen - A Fort Lauderdale businessmen and venture capitalist.

Ballamor Capital Management - Run by Barry Bekkadam.

Bonnie Barnett - The mother of Andrew Barnett.

Robert Kagan - Bonnie Barnett's husband.

Ovi Levy – A friend of the promoter.

Several hedge funds, including Centurion Credit, Clockwork Capital, and Platinum Management

Barry Florescue - a Fort Lauderdale businessman.

COLLATERAL WITNESSES AND BUSINESSES MENTIONED IN THE INVESTIGATION

John Ciriello, an antiques dealer living in Pompano Beach

Solid Gold – Employed a dancer allegedly associated with Scott Rothsetein.

Unidentified Dancer - Exotic

Ritz-Carlton Hotel – Place for meeting and socializing by some of those involved.

Stephan Maloman - Photographs from the million-dollar Rothstein wedding at the Versace mansion in January 2008.

Kimberly Rothstein – Scott Rothstein’s wife.

Unidentified Blog Commenter – “Teddy Paparazzi”

LEGAL TEAMS AND LAWYERS

Marc Nurik – Scott Rothstein’s lawyer.

Jordi Guso, a bankruptcy attorney for the law firm of Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler.

Jeff Sonn and John Genovese Attorneys on behalf of a few creditors filed the petition for involuntary bankruptcy of Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler.

Herbert Stettin, who had been appointed by a Broward judge as the receiver, will now become the firm's chief restructuring officer.

Norman D. Tripp is the Morses' lawyer. Morses’ are alleged to be clients of Rothstein and his law firm.

Bill Salim, Attorney who is representing Levy family members, including Ovadia and Rachel.

PRESS AND BLOGS COVERING THE STORY

Staff Writers Jon Burstein, Paula McMahon and Brittany Wallman.

Sally Kestin can be reached at skestin@SunSentinel.com or 954-356-4510.

Peter Franceschina can be reached at pfranceschina@SunSentinel.com or 954-459-2255.

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Herald JAY WEAVER, SCOTT HIAASEN AND AMY SHERMAN

jweaver@MiamiHerald.com

Broward Palm Beach Blog – Benjamin Lamberti and Bob Norman. Mr. Norman has the most complete comments and updates.

http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/2009/11/david_benjamin_lamberti_scott_rothstein.php

CAVEAT: A woman wrote to me and a fair interpretation of her conclusions was in my opinion not borne out by the facts. I think it's important not to draw conclusions the facts don't support. For instance there is an understanding developing that Ponzi Schemes are the result of more than just one person; several people are needed to engage in an enterprise that results in pulling in investors. These ancillary participants support the basic misconceptions the principal deceiver creates and they often times include feeders, finance people, accountants, stockbrokers, bankers, bookkeepers, other investors (probably fake or make believe investors), lawyers and confidence people. Ponzi schemes are usually the results of many people acting in concert assuring the naïve investors that everything is alright and the returns are justifiably rational. Therefore you can’t draw to a conclusion that, if the Ponzi scheme and Melissa Lewis’ murder were somehow related that the principal suspect in the Ponzi scheme had anything to do with the murder. Melissa Lewis’ murderer may never be found and without there being supporting evidence such a conclusion is unwarranted. In other words there can be many people who might want an honest person with knowledge dead. It certainly is proper for the police and FBI investigators to have such a hunch and to see if the evidence does lead them to that conclusion. But assuming the conclusion without sufficient evidence is incorrect. Anyone with evidence should come forward and contact the FBI. [John Gillies - Miami FBI Special Agent in Charge of the case and the head of the FBI in South Florida or Gilbert Garza - IRS Acting Special Agent in Charge.

FBI Investor Contact - rothstein.investment@ic.fbi.gov. or call 800-CALLFBI (800-225-5324).]

LET’S MAKE A DEAL: Those with inside information that are a part of this scheme should consider what position they will be in should another insider work a PLEA BARGAIN DEAL ahead of YOU. With police and prosecutors it’s first come –first serve on plea bargains. And think about this, there is nothing stopping someone at the inner workings of this mess to step forward and in the process of making a deal blame you for more than you were responsible.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Steve Lombardi

Go-Carting Safety and Riding on the Public Streets

Steve Lombardi — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:25:00 GMT

On September 04^th 2009 14-year-old William Beaulieau and a class mate 15-year-old Jacob Murray were go-carting when the go-cart they were riding in collided with a Ford truck driven by Chad Stange. The accident occurred at the intersection of 300^th Street and Stanley Road near Fredericksburg at about 5 p.m. Mr. Beaulieau was driving the go cart and both boys were ejected on impact and both died as a result of the injuries sustained in the crash.

First of all the report isn't clear but appears to say they were driving the go-cart on the public’s right-of-way; the road or street. If so, our first thought is to ask what are they doing riding on the street? And why at 5:00 p.m. when commuter traffic is likely to be increased due to people coming home from work? No license, no registration, no tags and no reason to be there. Was there a moped type flag on the go-cart? Go-carts are too low to be seen by normal drivers, so it's an accident waiting to happen.

The next question that always comes up is about supervision. Where were the adults who should be supervising them and why did they think it permissible to be driving a motorized go-cart on the public streets? What were they taught about riding it on the streets? Was someone home watching Oprah when they should have watching the kids? These are the types of questions that would need to be answered.

I've got experience with this in my neighborhood. I see my neighbor's children and adult children running an unlicensed ATV on the streets while trying to pull wheelies. When I see them out there my first thoughts are when the accident is going happen; you know the one that is inevitable. You see I live on a corner and I know my neighbors driving habits; probably too well. Here is my one neighbor who is also a lawyer and he drives way too fast through that intersection and now we are adding kids and young adults on an unlicensed vehicle. And then there are the neighborhood teen drivers going through that intersection as if they owned it. I’m shaking my head as I ponder the sound of metal to metal as the crash unfolds in my head; that's what happens to aging personal injury lawyers; we dream of all the crashes we've had cases about. Maybe I should move to the end of the cul-de-sac; then I wouldn’t know so much about the intersection down by Lombardi’s house.

These situations lead to tough questions with very unsatisfying answers.

If you’ll recall we’ve discussed a similar type of accident involving an ATV running into a parked car.

But it also raises another question. What was the driver of the Ford truck doing? How fast was he going? Did he have any distractions that took away from his awareness as a driver on the public roads? His actions may not excuse his negligence. Was he aware from previous occasions that this kid would be out riding his go-cart in the street? If so, was he watching out for him? Did he know the kid was there and just ignored him? Determining negligence is such a multi-faceted task with many questions about the behavior of each actor that need to be answered about whether it lived up to the reasonable man standard. In this case it’s probably too easy to just want to blame the kids on the go-cart; but our first inclinations aren’t always the fairest either.

So let’s wait till we know all the facts before judging and coming to a conclusion.

We wish the families well and I rest my case.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Steve Lombardi

Pedestrian killed by Metrobus in DC, Not an isolated incident

Steve Lombardi — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:40:00 GMT

According to the Washington Examiner, Stephanie Richardson, age 47, was killed by a Washington, D.C Metrobus. She was riding the Metrobus on October 5, 2009, when she got off at her stop, began to cross the street in front of the bus, and was hit by another Metrobus driving in the same direction; a bus which came up along the side. The D.C police said she was at the Mount Olivet Road stop between Trinidad and Montello avenues. Richardson was brought to the Washington Hospital Center, and died the next day.

The case is under investigation, and the bus driver’s blood was tested, and they were placed on paid leave. This is not the first case of a pedestrian hit by the city’s transit vehicle, though this is the first fatality since September 2008. The Metro’s cause for safety has now been revamped after this incident. They had previously in 2007 put in place “warning strobe lights on 100 buses in the District.” They need to determine more precautionary methods because this issue is a serious one:

“The District has a higher rate of pedestrian fatalities than cities such as New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, according to a D.C. Department of Transportation report. More than 600 pedestrians are typically hit by vehicles of all types in the city annually, with more than a dozen killed nearly every year.”

Pedestrians too have an obligation to use heightened safety measures. When walking the city streets have your head on a swivel; meaning, look all around you as you step into the street. Stop before you step off the sidewalk into the street. Look both ways several times. We are all in a hurry, or so it seems. Many people seem distracted with this economy and the mess Wall Street and Washington have created for those who don’t get multi-million dollar bonuses and “campaign contributions”. Most of the people who work for enough just to pay the rent and to put food on the table are most likely depressed. But raise your head up and look carefully before you step into the street, because the bus drivers are more like you and I then the Wall Street crowd; and they too are just as distracted.

And remember the words of Michael Conrad just before he sent his troops out on the streets

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2QApwtE8zQ

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Steve Lombardi