Rothsteins' belongings to be auctioned

BOCA RATON, Fla. (WSVN) -- Pricey items that once belonged to a convicted Ponzi schemer and his wife will soon be up for grabs.

Former South Florida attorney Scott Rothstein was convicted of heading a $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme. He is currently serving a 50-year prison sentence.

On Saturday, the general public was allowed to view the personal items that once belonged to Rothstein and his wife Kim at a warehouse located at 606 Banyan Trail in Boca Raton. The couple's items will soon be up for auction. "We want to raise as much money as we can to give back to the victims," said Lamar Fisher, the president and CEO of Fisher Auction Co.

In May, Kim Rothstein surrendered her designer shoes, handbags and clothing as part of a bankruptcy claim; all these items will also be available to the highest bidder. "I wanted to see what size shoes she wears, and it's too small for me: 5 and a half," one woman said.

A variety of furniture will also be up for auction, including leather sofas, chairs and big-screen TVs, all from the couple's four homes. Also available is a massive collection of sports memorabilia made up of autographed pictures and jerseys, a grand piano and even a stuffed lion. "I think it's sad, don't you? Really sad. It's just amazing, and I haven't even gotten halfway through it," a woman said, as she browsed through the items.

Jane Schafrann agreed. "This is life lived in total excess, and it's too bad for all his victims," she said.

Many works of art owned by the couple will be auctioned off. Schafrann said, she intends to bid on some art. "I have no idea what the minimum bid is going to be, but we came all the way down from New York for this. We missed the Madoff auction, so we made it to Rothstein," she said.

However, some expressed distaste with the available items. "It looks gaudy, and they'll be lucky if they can sell it," laughed one woman.

"Somebody will buy it," a man said. "Somebody buys everything. Let's face it."

"I would say this guy has a lot of money and very little taste," said a man.

The white-ticket items will be available on the on-line auction only, scheduled to take place Oct. 6-13. Those interested should visit www.fisherauction.com.

The blue-ticket items will be available during the live auction, scheduled for Oct. 15, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Embassy Suites Boca Raton, located at 661 NW 53 St. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. that day.

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