The Ponzi scheme was uncovered in 2009, when Rothstein's law firm, Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler, was forced to close its doors due to a lack of funds. An investigation was launched, and it was soon discovered that Rothstein had been running a massive Ponzi scheme, using fake settlements and fake legal documents to convince investors to put money into the scheme. The scheme was able to fool even the most sophisticated investors, including hedge funds and other financial institutions. The investigation into the scheme was led by the FBI and the Securities and Exchange Commission, and ultimately led to the conviction of Rothstein and several of his associates. Rothstein was sentenced to 50 years in prison for his role in the scheme, and was ordered to pay back millions of dollars in restitution to the victims. The case was a major blow to the city of Fort Lauderdale, and led to a renewed focus on financial regulation and investor protection. The case also highlighted the dangers of Ponzi schemes and the importance of due diligence in investing. The scheme's collapse also led to a number of lawsuits against Rothstein and his associates, as well as against the auditors and other professionals who had failed to detect the scheme.