MIAMI (AP) -- An attorney who worked in the firm of convicted Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein faces federal charges, with authorities claiming he made illegal donations to John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Miami charged 49-year-old Steven Lippman on Monday with conspiracy to violate the Federal Election Campaign Act, to defraud the United States and to defraud a financial institution. He faces up to five years in prison.
Authorities say Rothstein enlisted Lippman and others to contribute to the McCain campaign after the now-defunct Fort Lauderdale law firm Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler unlawfully provided the funds for the political contributions.
Rothstein is serving a 50-year prison sentence for operating the Ponzi scheme.
Lippman's attorney Bruce Zimet says he's has been negotiating with the government to reach a resolution.
