Text extracted via OCR from the original document. May contain errors from the scanning process.
10/20/2010 17:01
THE FLORIDA BAR
PAGE 81/02
(Before a Grievance Committee)
TO.
Bradley James Edwards
Farmer, Jaffe, Weissing, et al
425 N. Andrews Ave, Suite 2
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301-3268
IN RE:
Complaints by Jeffrey Epstein and The Florida Bar
Against Bradley James Edwards, Attorney No. 542075
Case No. 2010-50,746(09B)
A
The grievance committee has found no probable cause in the above-
you and the complaint was dismissed.
In November 2009, The Florida Bar began an investigation into the
Rosenfeldt Adler (RRA). According to a complaint filed by Herbert S
in Case No. 09-34791-BKC-RBR, dated December 29, 2009, "[a]s p.
defraud investors, [Scott Walter] Rothstein utilized the RRA offices, R
his position as an attorney and as an owner and officer of RRA, in
with existing clients of RRA and RRA's financial institution accounts,
fraudulent sale of fictitious structured settlements." Thereafter, co
alleged that you conspired with Mr. Rothstein to encourage plaintiffs to
against Mr. Epstein to further Mr. Rothstein's Ponzi scheme.
During the investigation of RRA, the bar discovered that Mr. R
Rosenfeldt were the only equity shareholders in RRA. Despite
partners, you held yourself out as a "partner" when you held no equity
based upon the trust account improprieties at RRA, inquiry was made
4-1.5 and Chapter 5 of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar and
believed during your tenure at the firm that RRA complied with all ap
to its trust accounts. The bar also became aware of allegations that I
engaged in actions that constituted violations of campaign finance
lawyers at RRA were instructed to make political campaign cont
reimbursed to the lawyer from funds at RRA.
You responded to the inquiry and indicated generally that you were g
reflect your legal experience and seniority within RRA. You never he
partner and were unaware that anyone ever misunderstood that you
Although you were familiar with the rules regarding trust accounts, yo
any bank account at RRA and were not privy to the trust account
ferenced matter against
dissolution of Rothstein
ttin, Chapter 11 Trustee,
of his Ponzi Scheme to
A lawyers and staff, and
ition to his relationship
n order to effectuate the
plainant Jeffrey Epstein
ring meritless civil suits
tein and Stuart Alan
having only two equity
terest in RRA. Further,
ether you had read Rule
hether you reasonably
icable rules with respect
ers at RRA may have
w. It was alleged that
butions that were then
en the title "partner" to
yourself out as an equity
were an equity partner.
were not a signatory on
ecords. You generally
EFTA01113582
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THE FLORIDA BAR
PAGE
02/02
observed that RRA appeared to have a professional structure and st
trust funds. You denied having knowledge of any trust account irre
accounts of Mr. Rothstein fleeing the United States and thereafter be
You denied misrepresenting the value of claims against Mr. Epstei
plaintiffs in the actions against Mr. Epstein commenced a year befo
RRA and continues.
You denied that you were ever reimburs
contributions or that you were ever asked to do so.
Rule 3-2.1(j) of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar defines "probabl
by an authorized agency that there is cause to believe that a member of
of misconduct justifying disciplinary action." Here, the Committee co
cause to believe that your conduct justified disciplinary action.
Although the Committee did not find that your actions rose to a viola(
The Florida Bar, the Committee members would caution you that
situations and communications that could lead to confusion or
attorneys who possess trust property or use a trust account are under a
the safety of the property held in trust and compliance with the rule -
The Committee understands that there is a national practice where
firms use the title "partner." The Committee did not find any credib
ever reimbursed for making campaign contributions or that you were e
The Committee would direct you to review with care the Rules Regu
1.15 A lawyer shall comply with The Florida Bar Rules Regulating
partner in a law firm, and a lawyer who individually or together wi
comparable managerial authority in a law firm, shall make reasonabl
firm has in effect measures giving reasonable assurance that all lawy
Rules of Professional Conduct; 5-1.1 Trust Accounts; and, 5-1.2 Trus
Procedures.
This letter of advice does not constitute a disciplinary record against
not subject to appeal by you. Rules Regulating The Florida Bar 3-7.4
purged from the discipline records and the file destroyed one year fro
committee action.
Dated this ark day of ..737u,n,:--s,,
, 2010.
GR1
for the management of
ularities before the news
g prosecuted criminally.
Your representation of
you began working for
for making campaign
cause" as "[aj finding
e Florida Bar is guilty
d not find probable
of the Rules Regulating
I attorneys should avoid
isinformation.
Further,
ontinuing duty to ensure
regarding trust accounts.
n-equity partners in law
evidence that you were
r asked to do so.
ting The Florida Bar: 4-
st Accounts; 4-5.1(a) A
other lawyers possesses
efforts to ensure that the
s therein conform to the
Accounting Records and
u for any purpose and is
). This complaint will be
the date of the grievance
rr
.E "B"
THEODS
DAVID ES
cc:
Kenneth H. P. Bryk, Bar Counsel
Jeffrey Epstein, Complainant
S, ACTING CHAIR
EFTA01113583