'Independent Verifier' Indicted in Rothstein Fraud
An unsealed indictment charges Surfside investment adviser Michael Szafranski with conspiracy and wire fraud in helping disbarred law firm chairman Scott Rothstein recruit investors.
February 05, 2015 at 12:00 PM
2 minute read
Surfside investment adviser Michael Szafranski, the so-called “independent verifier” who signed off on deals for investors in Scott Rothstein's $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme, is the latest co-conspirator to be indicted.
Szafranski, 36, was charged Jan. 22 with wire fraud conspiracy and 11 counts of wire fraud, and the indictment was unsealed Thursday in open court by U.S. Magistrate Judge Alicia O. Valle in Fort Lauderdale. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count.
Miami defense attorney Howard Srebnick of Black Srebnick Kornspan & Stumpf said his client will plead not guilty at his arraignment Feb. 17.
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