Ponzi operator's wife to keep some jewelry

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Aug. 24 (UPI) -- A judge in Florida said the wife of Ponzi scheme operator Scott Rothstein could have some of her seized jewelry returned, depending on when she received it.

In November, prosecutors took possession of 300 pieces of jewelry owned by Kim Rothstein, wife of convicted fraudster Scott Rothstein, The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Tuesday.

The jewelry is expected to be sold to compensate victims of Rothstein's $1.4 billion Ponzi operation. However, Judge James Cohn said Mrs. Rothstein is entitled to keep the jewelry given to her before the Ponzi scheme began. She can also keep items she can prove were given to her as gifts from friends other than her husband, Cohn said.