Investments and Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended																			3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Fair Value [Member]		Dec. 31, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Fair Value [Member]		Mar. 31, 2013 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]		Dec. 31, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]		Mar. 31, 2013 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]		Dec. 31, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]		Mar. 31, 2013 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]		Dec. 31, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]		Mar. 31, 2013 Warrant [Member] Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Warrant [Member] Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Nov. 04, 2011 Warrant [Member] Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Variable Interest 7.50% Senior Convertible Debentures [Member]
Assets:
Money market funds				$ 304,794		$ 372,718		$ 304,794		$ 372,718		$ 0		$ 0		$ 0		$ 0
Certificates of deposit				2,240		2,240		0		0		2,240		2,240		0		0
Bonds				6,306		6,306		6,306		6,306		0		0		0		0
Investment securities available for sale				82,439		69,984		76,315		69,107		6,124		877		0		0
Warrants				834	[1]	769	[2]	0	[1]	0	[2]	0	[1]	0	[2]	834	[1]	769	[2]
Total				396,613		452,017		387,415		448,131		8,364		3,117		834		769
Liabilities:
Fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt				169,079		172,128		0		0		0		0		169,079		172,128
Total				169,079		172,128		0		0		0		0		169,079		172,128
Investment Owned, Balance, Shares																						1,000,000
Investment Owned, at Cost																				779	717
Change in Fair Value, Gain (Loss)																				65
Convertible debt effective interest rate																							7.50%
Income from embedded derivatives	3,049	(21,057)
Nonrecurring nonfinancial assets subject to fair value measurements	$ 0		$ 0

[1] Warrants include 1,000,000 of LTS Warrants received on November 4, 2011 which were carried at $779 as of March 31, 2013 and are included in "Other assets". The Company recognized income of $65 for the three months ended March 31, 2013 related to the change in fair value of the Warrants.

[2] Warrants include 1,000,000 of LTS Warrants received on November 4, 2011 which were carried at $717 as of December 31, 2012 and are included in "Other assets".