One of six South Florida personal injury attorneys accused of taking part in an extensive insurance scheme has avoided incarceration after pleading guilty to 15 felony charges.

Steven Slootsky, a personal injury lawyer who practiced in Boca Raton, was sentenced by Broward Circuit Judge Michael A. Usan Thursday to 10 years probation on one count and five years probation, to be served concurrently, on 14 other counts. According to Usan's office, Slootsky's sentence does not include any prison time or fees.

(l-r) Attorneys Adam Hurtig, 46, Alexander Kapetan, 44, Vincent Pravato, 48, Steven Slootsky, 57, and Mark Spatz, 58. Credit: Broward County Sheriff's Office (l-r) Attorneys Adam Hurtig, Alexander Kapetan, Vincent Pravato, Steven Slootsky, and Mark Spatz. Photo: Broward County Sheriff's Office

Attorneys Agree to Plead Guilty in Auto Insurance Fraud

In his plea agreement entered Oct. 23 2017, Slootsky had agreed spend up to five years in prison and pay more than $170,200 in restitution. He was sentenced to all stipulations of his plea agreement, barring prison time. This includes 500 hours of community service and restitution to the victims of his scheme.

Slootsky's attorney, Fort Lauderdale defense attorney Howard Greitzer told the Daily Business Review that his client's sentence was “appropriate… considering the status of the case and the need to make prompt and full restitution.”

Read the sentencing order:

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The charges against Slootsky were filed in September 2017 by the Florida attorney general's office. He and five other South Florida lawyers — Adam Hurtig, Alexander Kapetan, Vincent Pravato, Mark Spatz and Jason Dalley — were all ensnared in an insurance fraud sting operation led by the Broward Sheriff's Office.

Slootsky and the other indicted attorneys faced multiple felony charges for allegedly paying for client referrals from tow truck drivers as well as other businesses that had access to vehicle accident reports.

5 South Florida Lawyers Arrested in Alleged Fraud Scheme

The prosecution alleged that the personal injury lawyers then collaborated with two now-closed medical practices, Margate Physicians and Broward Spine Associates in Plantation, to file fraudulent motor vehicle tort and personal injury protection, or PIP, claims. The medical offices purportedly offered the attorneys kickbacks of $1,500 to $2,500 per patient, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office.

According to his attorney profile on the Florida Bar website, Slootsky is no longer eligible to practice law in the state. The Florida Supreme Court granted a disciplinary revocation, and Slootsky will be able to seek readmission to the bar in January 2028, 10 years after the high court issued the order.

The Attorney general's office did not reply to requests for comment by deadline.

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