Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler

s the who’s who of Broward County mingled at last month’s Leadership Broward gala, Scott Rothstein and business partner Stuart Rosenfeldt held court on the side of the dance floor.

A steady stream of politicians, judges, lobbyists and business leaders stopped by to press the flesh and hob-nob with one of South Florida’s power partners.

Rosenfeldt received the group’s “Leader of the Year” honor that night. In his acceptance speech, he thanked Rothstein, whom he called his partner for life, for allowing him to spend so much time doing community work.

On Monday, Rosenfeldt and the firm filed suit asking a judge to place the firm in receivership. They alleged Rothstein stole money from investors in a side business involving structured settlements. The suit claimed Rothstein refused to step down from the firm and had total control of the firm’s finances.

It was a sudden end to their partnership and an epic fall for a high-profile attorney who made himself one of Broward County’s top power brokers and leading political fundraisers — Rothstein contributed $227,500 to the Republican Party of Florida since February 2006.

Best known for his GOP ties, Rothstein had broadened his interests. In September, his firm, Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler, sent $200,000 to the Florida Democratic Party on top of the $262,000 donated by the firm to the Republican Party of Florida since August 2006, according to state records.

Rothstein’s fortunes dimmed when Rosenfeldt asked a judge Monday to dissolve the firm and appoint a receiver to audit its finances in a suit claiming Rothstein had sole control of firm finances and allegedly misused investor trust accounts.

Rothstein and his firm bundled and donated large amounts of money to the Republican Party and 2008 presidential nominee John McCain.

Gov. Charlie Crist appointed Rothstein to the 4th District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission, and he reportedly attended the governor’s wedding.

Rothstein recently purchased a stake in a restaurant at South Beach’s luxurious Versace mansion after investing in fine dining in 2006 as a partner in the Bova Group with Anthony Bova, owner of two Boca Raton restaurants.

Rothstein’s view of the world included an ocean-view office on Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. The walls of his office were covered with autographed photos of political figures including McCain, Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman and Crist.

Crist spokesman Sterling Ivey had no comment by deadline.

On Monday the taint of the allegations caused politicians — once all too happy to take Rothstein’s and his firm’s money — to distance themselves. The first to announce plans to return a contribution was state chief financial officer and gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink whose campaign planned to return or donate to charity $2,000 from Rothstein, his wife and two firms.

Five attorneys quickly resigned from the firm in Florida along with 15 lawyers associated with the firm in Venezuela.