‘Fast Eddie’ Rothman
charged with kidnapping

Star-Bulletin staff

Police have charged a 50-year-old man in connection with an attack Tuesday on the North Shore.

Edward Rothman, who also is known as "Fast Eddie," was charged yesterday with first- degree burglary, kidnapping and extortion, police said.

He is being held on $300,000 bail.

Rothman and two of his friends barged into a Sunset Beach home Tuesday night and allegedly threatened the resident and his family with "death" if they didn't turn over their truck, police said.

The suspect and his group then beat up the resident, police said.

Three of the resident's friends also were led outside and told not to interfere with the beating, according to a police report.

In 1987, Rothman was indicted in connection with running a large North Shore-based extortion and cocaine-distribution ring.

Prosecutors at that time said Rothman "held the North Shore in a state of feudalism" for years.

Rothman headed a group then called Hui O He'e Nalu, more commonly referred to as the "Black Trunks," which prosecutors alleged was engaged in extorting surf-meet promoters and film directors on the North Shore.

Rothman was acquitted of the charges after a jury trial.