Attorney Convicted in Connection with Rothstein Ponzi Scheme

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Jose A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); and Michael B. Steinbach, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, announce today that a federal jury in West Palm Beach convicted Christina M. Kitterman, 38, of Deerfield Beach, on three counts of wire fraud after a week-long trial before U.S. District Judge Daniel T. K. Hurley. A sentencing date has not been set.

Kitterman was charged with three counts of wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343. The acts set forth in the charging document were all in furtherance of a Ponzi scheme involving the sale of purported confidential settlement agreements in sexual harassment and/or whistle blower cases that were purportedly handled by attorneys at the former Ft. Lauderdale law firm of Rothstein, Rosenfeldt, and Adler P.A. (RRA).

Evidence introduced at trial established that, during the course of the Ponzi scheme and while she was employed as an attorney at RRA, Kitterman falsely posed as the head of the Ft. Lauderdale office of the Florida Bar Association during a meeting with certain investors in order to explain to the investors the reason why certain payments due to them had not been made.

At sentencing, Kitterman faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer stated, “The verdict rendered by the jury today is another step toward bringing Rothstein’s criminal associates to justice. As I have previously stated, the success of Rothstein’s complex scheme to deceive and defraud depended on the complicity of individuals like Christina Kitterman. Kitterman, an attorney, was the 15th individual to face criminal charges in connection with this complex financial fraud.”

IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Jose A. Gonzalez stated, “The jury has validated the government’s case sending a strong message that those who knowingly assist in perpetrating investment scams will be held accountable for their actions. Together with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to aggressively investigate and bring to justice those who aided Rothstein in perpetrating this massive fraud.”

“Although Scott Rothstein was the ringleader in a massive Ponzi scheme, he needed help. A jury of her peers has determined Christina Kitterman gave him that help and needs to be held accountable,” said Michael B. Steinbach, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Miami. “Regardless of one’s role, the FBI and its partners are committed to investigate those who swindle investors.”

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI and the FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lawrence D. LaVecchio, Paul F. Schwartz, Jeffrey N. Kaplan, and Evelyn B. Sheehan.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.