FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - A list of victims of a Ponzi scheme operated by a former Fort Lauderdale attorney will not become public.

A federal judge ruled Tuesday that the court document be sealed in Scott Rothstein's criminal case.

The U.S. Attorney's Office argued for having the 259 names be kept out of the public file, saying it would cause "severe embarrassment and mental distress" for the victims entitled to $279 million.

This is the latest court action involving money lost in the $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme.

Rothstein is serving a 50-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to money laundering and fraud.