Federal Judiciary

Scott Rothstein started out in Plantation as an employment lawyer representing police officers in internal affairs investigations and disputes with the department.

Facing arrest in a $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme, Rothstein again turned to his former Plantation police clients ? only this time as potential targets for an FBI sting, according to court documents and defense lawyers in a $16 million mortgage fraud case.

"It was great speaking with you. I think I can help you with your problem," Rothstein said on accused ringleader Joseph Guaracino's voice mail. "Maybe we can hook up for a little Monday Night Football tonight for a little while. Catch a martini, smoke a cigar and catch up on shit."

Defense attorneys want to talk to Rothstein about his weeks spent as a confidential informant in November 2009 shortly before his arrest. They say federal prosecutors have told them the disgraced law firm chairman didn't have authority to contact his former clients or target seven current and former law enforcement officers charged in the mortgage fraud case last June.

But Miami criminal defense attorneys Michael D. Walsh and Jordan Lewin ? who represent Guaracino and his brother, Dennis, respectively ? say only Rothstein can confirm whether he went rogue while working as an FBI informant.