SFL Friday -- Russ Adler Deposition Follies!

The Intrepid One™  reports on Russ Adler's deposition, which went off about as smoothly as everything else in Rothstein-world:

Lichtman and Adler’s lawyer, Fred Haddad of Fort Lauderdale, stood and yelled at each other several times in the highly charged session. After Lichtman sarcastically questioned Adler’s assertions that he was a “premiere” lawyer in Broward County, Haddad threatened to have Adler leave the deposition if Lichtman did not treat Adler with respect. Later, Lichtman threatened to stop the deposition and get a protective order to force Adler to answer his questions.

“You’ve been argumentative with me all day,” Lichtman said. “I don’t want your speeches.”

 This may be my favorite part (by Jon Burstein in the Sun-Sentinel):

At times, Adler lashed out at Lichtman, accusing him of trying to trap him with "memory games" and telling the bankruptcy attorney: "I don't trust you. I don't believe you."

Adding a side element to the deposition was Adler's wife, Katie Adler, who repeatedly spoke up, much to the chagrin of Adler's attorney, Fred Haddad, who threatened to kick her out of the room.

Katie, I appreciate the sentiment, but let your man handle this, ok?

In other news eat lots of salt, charm may not be a positive personality trait, and it's always mind over matter.

I'm cutting out of downtown early as I understand they may be something happening here later, so happy windsurfing to all and have a great weekend!

Rothstein Scorecard -- Who Represents Who?

Well I hope everyone had a warm, loving, and peaceful Thanksgiving, and is now fighting over deals at Walmart -- that HDTV screen will only be on sale for two more hours!

I wonder if any meaning can be derived by looking at who is representing who in the Rothstein saga.

We know Scottie has loyal Marc Nurik, who recently has been cracking jokes and alternately acting as Scott's public psychologist:

"He did something that, when you think about it, is kind of extraordinary. He goes away to a country that has no extradition treaty with the U.S., reportedly, allegedly has a lot of money at his disposal, and chooses to come back and deal with this … I think because beneath it all, and not withstanding all the things that have been said about him, I believe that he is truly a decent human being, not withstanding flaws. I really do believe he did it out of, a true decent emotion to try to deal with this.''

Again, I have no problem with a public rehabilitation strategy. I just think, in the absence of other positive facts, this strategy is way too premature.

Marc would have you believe at the same time he is denying that Scott is cooperating with the feds and singing like a bird, Rothstein nonetheless has returned to "make everything right." How does that square up?

Rothstein's bankruptcy lawyer is Hinshaw's Michael D. Seese.

I agree with Bob Norman that Bill Scherer's amended complaint is an interesting read but a bit of a mess.

It is 289 pages long and asserts 245 counts. To be honest it reads like a placeholder, an effort to "occupy the field" and get in front of the other civil suits coming down the pike. Somebody at some point definitely needs to edit that thing.

Let's see -- Bob Josefsberg is representing Banyon COO Frank J. Preve -- what could that mean?

Bruce Lehr is representing Big Stu, Fred Haddad has Russ Adler's back, and Neal Sonnett is representing Grant Smith.

Russ even recently appeared in court on behalf of former Judge Seidlin.

It's a small town, huh?