Getty Andrew Rothenberg, convicted embezzler and the former financial advisor who pled guilty to wire fraud for stealing millions from Boyd Tinsley, violinist for Dave Matthews Band, filed a bizarre lawsuit in Richmond (Va.) Circuit Court on March 9, spurring a request for sanctions from Tinsley's attorneys quickly afterward.



Beyond allegations that Tinsley interfered with Rothenberg's business as a purported financial manager, Rothenberg's suit alleges a wide range of lurid behavior by Tinsley which left the plaintiff "emotionally and psychologically wrecked," and that Tinsley's interference caused Rothenberg financial harm in losing potential sports and entertainment clients. In often dramatic language, the suit cites "starry eyed fans drawn to Tinsley's cult of personality," and a "dark side that Tinsley has gone to great lengths to hide." The suit seeks $10 million in compensatory damages and $350,000 in punitive damages, according to the lawsuit.



In response, Tinsley's representatives filed a request for sanctions against Rothenberg and his former lawyer, Hayden Fisher, stating that Rothenberg's lawsuit was part of "an ongoing course of conduct by Rothenberg intended to harass, harm, and extort money from Tinsley." Tinsley's representatives also state in their response that Rothenberg "has repeatedly threatened to file civil complaints containing baseless and inflammatory allegations against Tinsley unless he pays Rothenberg millions of dollars in purported settlement." Further, "each of these threatened complaints has contained baseless and salacious allegations relating to Tinsley's private life, the publication of which is intended to harm his reputation." Tinsley's response asks that the court strike Rothenberg's complaint, essentially forcing Rothenberg to file an amended complaint containing only allegations relevant to the "financial harm" charges.



"I trusted Andy, he was an important part of my life, and in return he stole from me," says Tinsley in a statement. "Despite that, during the criminal process I asked that he receive mental health care instead of incarceration, which resulted in a significantly reduced sentence. Now, after his jail term, he is desperately lashing out with outrageous and false accusations, a work of pure fiction, in an attempt for more money."



Rothenberg, who could have faced up to 30 years in prison, was convicted of one count of felony wire fraud, to which he pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to nine months in federal prison in January of 2014, followed by nine months of home incarceration, a reduced sentence endorsed by Tinsley. Rothenberg also agreed to pay back $1.25 million to Tinsley through a plea agreement, though earlier estimates indicated Rothenberg may have stolen up to $7 million.



A hearing is set for next week.