Rothstein allegedly gives names to FBI

MIAMI (WSVN) -- Scott Rothstein has been moved to an undisclosed location after allegedly talking with federal investigators and giving up names.

Rothstein, who is in the federal witness protection program, has been moved to a new prison. The transfer out of a facility in St. Lucie County came just days after news reports connected his tips to the arrest of alleged mobster Roberto Setteneri. They said Setteneri had connections with the Gambino crime family and with a mob family out of Sicily.

There was video of Settenneri being walked into FBI headquarters. It was such a big deal, Italian authorities came to the U.S. and were present at the news conference as well.

According to sources, Rothstein, who knew Setteneri, wore a wiretap and asked Setteneri in early November to destroy evidence and launder money for Rothstein himself. Rothstein then set up the charade that he was being hounded by the FBI.

On Nov. 7, 7 News met with Rothstein. At the time, Rothstein's attorney jumped in when asked whether Rothstein was dealing with the government. Rothstein himself never denied talking to federal agents. "Scott is cooperating with me and trying to figure out how we're going to arrange for all of this money to be paid back," Rothstein's Attorney Marc Nurik said.

In late October, allegations of a Ponzi scheme broke. Rothstein then took off to Morocco. In early November, he returned to South Florida

When Rothstein was pressed on who he knew, the name Setteneri came up, according to sources. Rothstein spent 90 percent of the interview back in November saying he wanted to pay back his investors. He also said, not everything is as it appears. "As you follow things, you're going to find out that this is like Alice and Wonderland. A lot of what people are saying is just the opposite," he said.

Rothstein will be under special protection in jail as he awaits sentencing. He is likely to get less jail time for his cooperation.

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