RESTATEMENT (Restatement - Cash Flow) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Net income	$ 22,278,000	$ 57,810,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	996,000
Other-than-temporary impairment on investments	214,000	74,000
Provision for credit losses	1,985,000	8,660,000
Unrealized gain on trading securities	(484,000)	(175,000)
Equity in (earnings) losses of unconsolidated entities	(1,144,000)	56,000
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	1,566,000
Gain on sale of loans and investment securities, net	(1,716,000)
Gain on sale of assets	(1,623,000)
Gain on sale and deconsolidation of subsidiaries		(54,682,000)
Deferred income tax (benefit) provision	(1,657,000)
Equity-based compensation issued	610,000
Payment of Share Based Compensation Received	0
Trading securities purchases and sales, net	(618,000)
Loss from discontinued operations	2,000	30,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	2,007,000
Changes in cash attributable to operations of consolidated VIE- RSO	(59,968,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(37,552,000)	19,232,000
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures	(474,000)
Payments received on real estate loans and real estate	2,049,000
Investments in real estate and unconsolidated real estate entities	(997,000)
Principal (returns) payments on leases and loans	(3,000)
Purchase of loans and investments	(1,522,000)
Principal payments and proceeds from sales received by consolidated VIE - RSO	584,563,000
Increase in restricted cash - consolidated VIE RSO	(5,926,000)
Other - consolidated VIE - RSO	(14,022,000)
Net cash provided by investing activities	89,958,000	62,855,000
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Increase in borrowings	2,000,000
Principal payments on borrowings	(2,243,000)
Net repayments of debt by consolidated VIE - RSO	(182,637,000)
Dividends paid	(1,183,000)
Dividends paid on common stock of consolidated VIE - RSO	(42,542,000)
Net proceeds from issuance of equity by consolidated VIE - RSO	179,826,000
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	1,253,000
Repurchase of common stock	(54,000)	(16,000)
Net cash used in financing activities	(51,637,000)	(74,672,000)
CASH FLOWS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:
Operating activities	(495,000)	(549,000)
Net cash used in discontinued operations	(495,000)	(549,000)
Increase in cash	274,000	6,866,000
Cash, beginning of year	11,899,000	12,803,000
Cash, end of period	12,173,000	19,669,000	12,173,000	19,669,000
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Net income	(1,141,000)
Scenario, Previously Reported Prior to Adjustments [Member]
Net income			1,389,000	28,496,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			1,546,000	4,280,000
Other-than-temporary impairment on investments			214,000	74,000
Provision for credit losses			7,137,000	10,910,000
Unrealized gain on trading securities			(666,000)	(175,000)
Equity in (earnings) losses of unconsolidated entities			(2,345,000)	(501,000)
Distributions from unconsolidated entities			2,577,000	2,741,000
Gain on sale of leases and loans				(37,000)
Gain on sale of loans and investment securities, net			(2,023,000)	(79,000)
Gain on sale of assets			(2,454,000)
Gain on sale and deconsolidation of subsidiaries				(63,431,000)
Loss on extinguishment of debt				2,190,000
Deferred income tax (benefit) provision			(1,898,000)	17,323,000
Equity-based compensation issued			815,000	1,059,000
Equity-based compensation received			(860,000)	(153,000)
Trading securities purchases and sales, net			(2,446,000)	(3,470,000)
Loss from discontinued operations			8,000	50,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities			(2,659,000)	(4,047,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities			(1,665,000)	(4,770,000)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures			(554,000)	(147,000)
Payments received on real estate loans and real estate			2,761,000	1,580,000
Investments in real estate and unconsolidated real estate entities			(2,009,000)	(1,108,000)
Purchase of commercial finance assets				(18,483,000)
Principal (returns) payments on leases and loans			0	9,041,000
Cash divested on deconsolidation of LEAF				(2,284,000)
Proceeds from sale of Apidos, net of transaction costs and cash divested on deconsolidation				17,864,000
Purchase of loans and investments			(2,845,000)	(600,000)
Proceeds from sale of loans and investments				262,000
Net cash provided by investing activities			(2,647,000)	6,125,000
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Increase in borrowings			2,000,000	128,845,000
Principal payments on borrowings			(2,472,000)	(129,333,000)
Dividends paid			(1,776,000)	(1,720,000)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock			1,253,000	1,056,000
Repurchase of common stock			(1,132,000)	(955,000)
Decrease in restricted cash			0	(647,000)
Preferred stock dividends paid by LEAF to RSO				(188,000)
Other financing activity			81,000	(2,275,000)
Net cash used in financing activities			(2,046,000)	(5,217,000)
CASH FLOWS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:
Operating activities			(862,000)	(924,000)
Net cash used in discontinued operations			(862,000)	(924,000)
Increase in cash			(7,220,000)	(4,786,000)
Cash, beginning of year			19,393,000	24,455,000
Cash, end of period	12,173,000	19,669,000	12,173,000	19,669,000
Consolidation Reclassification Adjustment [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Loss from discontinued operations	0	20,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	0	(20,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	0
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Net cash provided by investing activities	0
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Decrease in restricted cash	(3,000)	(31,000)
Other financing activity	3,000	31,000
Net cash used in financing activities	0
As Previously Reported [Member]
Net income	2,249,000	27,933,000	1,389,000	28,496,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	996,000	1,193,000
Other-than-temporary impairment on investments	214,000	74,000
Provision for credit losses	1,985,000	8,660,000
Unrealized gain on trading securities	(502,000)	(175,000)
Equity in (earnings) losses of unconsolidated entities	(1,144,000)	56,000
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	1,566,000	1,578,000
Gain on sale of leases and loans		0
Gain on sale of loans and investment securities, net	(1,716,000)	(21,000)
Gain on sale of assets	(1,623,000)
Gain on sale and deconsolidation of subsidiaries		(54,682,000)
Loss on extinguishment of debt		0
Deferred income tax (benefit) provision	(1,657,000)	17,169,000
Equity-based compensation issued	610,000	561,000
Equity-based compensation received	(654,000)	(153,000)
Trading securities purchases and sales, net	(618,000)	(3,470,000)
Loss from discontinued operations	2,000	30,000	8,000	50,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	2,007,000	(2,615,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	1,715,000	(3,862,000)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures	(474,000)	(41,000)
Payments received on real estate loans and real estate	2,049,000	30,000
Investments in real estate and unconsolidated real estate entities	(997,000)	(981,000)
Purchase of commercial finance assets		0
Principal (returns) payments on leases and loans	(3,000)	10,000
Cash divested on deconsolidation of LEAF		0
Proceeds from sale of Apidos, net of transaction costs and cash divested on deconsolidation		17,864,000
Purchase of loans and investments	(1,522,000)	0
Proceeds from sale of loans and investments		55,000
Net cash provided by investing activities	(947,000)	16,937,000
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Increase in borrowings	2,000,000	0
Principal payments on borrowings	(2,243,000)	(5,510,000)
Dividends paid	(1,183,000)	(1,151,000)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	1,253,000	1,056,000
Repurchase of common stock	(54,000)	(16,000)
Decrease in restricted cash	0	17,000
Preferred stock dividends paid by LEAF to RSO		0
Other financing activity	228,000	(56,000)
Net cash used in financing activities	1,000	(5,660,000)
CASH FLOWS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:
Operating activities	(495,000)	(549,000)
Net cash used in discontinued operations	(495,000)	(549,000)
Increase in cash	274,000	6,866,000
Cash, beginning of year	11,899,000	12,803,000
Cash, end of period	12,173,000	19,669,000	12,173,000	19,669,000
Restatement Adjustments - RSO [Member]
Net income	21,170,000	30,931,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Loss from discontinued operations	0	0
Restatement Adjustment - Intercompany Elimination [Member]
Net income	(1,141,000)	(1,054,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Loss from discontinued operations	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		(1,054,000)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Net cash provided by investing activities		39,000
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net cash used in financing activities		1,015,000
VIE - RSO [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Changes in cash attributable to operations of consolidated VIE- RSO	(59,968,000)	(6,936,000)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of loans and investments	(473,710,000)	(379,707,000)
Principal payments and proceeds from sales received by consolidated VIE - RSO	584,563,000	358,453,000
Increase in restricted cash - consolidated VIE RSO	(5,926,000)	64,085,000
Other - consolidated VIE - RSO	(14,022,000)	3,087,000
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net repayments of debt by consolidated VIE - RSO	(182,637,000)	(69,436,000)
Dividends paid		(35,885,000)
Dividends paid on common stock of consolidated VIE - RSO	(42,542,000)	(35,885,000)
Net proceeds from issuance of equity by consolidated VIE - RSO	179,826,000	38,114,000
Other financing activity	(6,285,000)	(1,805,000)
VIE - RSO [Member] | Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Changes in cash attributable to operations of consolidated VIE- RSO	(654,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(1,123,000)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Other - consolidated VIE - RSO	0
Net cash provided by investing activities	0
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Dividends paid on common stock of consolidated VIE - RSO	1,123,000
Net cash used in financing activities	1,123,000
CASH FLOWS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:
Increase in cash	0
Cash, beginning of year	0
Cash, end of period	0		0
VIE - RSO [Member] | Restatement Adjustments - RSO [Member]
Net income		30,931,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Equity-based compensation issued		613,000
Changes in cash attributable to operations of consolidated VIE- RSO		(7,396,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		24,148,000
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of loans and investments		(379,707,000)
Principal payments and proceeds from sales received by consolidated VIE - RSO		358,453,000
Increase in restricted cash - consolidated VIE RSO		64,085,000
Other - consolidated VIE - RSO		3,048,000
Net cash provided by investing activities		45,879,000
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net repayments of debt by consolidated VIE - RSO		(69,436,000)
Dividends paid		(36,900,000)
Net proceeds from issuance of equity by consolidated VIE - RSO		38,114,000
Other financing activity		(1,805,000)
Net cash used in financing activities		(70,027,000)
VIE - RSO [Member] | Restatement Adjustment - Intercompany Elimination [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Changes in cash attributable to operations of consolidated VIE- RSO		460,000
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Other - consolidated VIE - RSO		39,000
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Dividends paid		1,015,000
Consolidated Entity Excluding RSO [Member]
Net income		57,810,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	996,000	1,193,000
Other-than-temporary impairment on investments	214,000	74,000
Impairment charges		0
Provision for credit losses	1,985,000	8,660,000
Unrealized gain on trading securities	(484,000)	(175,000)
Equity in (earnings) losses of unconsolidated entities	(1,144,000)	56,000
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	1,566,000	1,578,000
Gain on sale of leases and loans		0
Gain on sale of loans and investment securities, net	(1,716,000)	(21,000)
Gain on sale of assets	(1,623,000)	0
Gain on sale and deconsolidation of subsidiaries	0	(54,682,000)
Loss on extinguishment of debt		0
Deferred income tax (benefit) provision	(1,657,000)	17,169,000
Equity-based compensation issued	610,000	561,000
Equity-based compensation received		0
Trading securities purchases and sales, net	(618,000)	(3,470,000)
Loss from discontinued operations	2,000	30,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	2,007,000	(2,615,000)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures	(474,000)	(41,000)
Payments received on real estate loans and real estate	2,049,000	30,000
Investments in real estate and unconsolidated real estate entities	(997,000)	(981,000)
Principal (returns) payments on leases and loans	(3,000)	10,000
Proceeds from sale of Apidos, net of transaction costs and cash divested on deconsolidation	0	17,864,000
Purchase of loans and investments	(1,522,000)	0
Proceeds from sale of loans and investments	0	55,000
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Increase in borrowings	2,000,000	0
Principal payments on borrowings	(2,243,000)	(5,510,000)
Dividends paid	(1,183,000)	(1,151,000)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	1,253,000	1,056,000
Repurchase of common stock	(54,000)	(16,000)
Other financing activity	228,000	(39,000)
CASH FLOWS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:
Cash, beginning of year	11,899,000
Cash, end of period	12,173,000		12,173,000
Consolidated Entity Excluding RSO [Member] | Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Unrealized gain on trading securities	18,000
Equity-based compensation issued	0
Payment of Share Based Compensation Received	654,000
Consolidated Entity Excluding RSO [Member] | As Previously Reported [Member]
Net income		27,933,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		1,193,000
Other-than-temporary impairment on investments	214,000	74,000	214,000	74,000
Impairment charges		0		0
Provision for credit losses	1,985,000	8,660,000	7,137,000	10,910,000
Unrealized gain on trading securities		(175,000)
Equity in (earnings) losses of unconsolidated entities		56,000
Distributions from unconsolidated entities		1,578,000
Gain on sale of leases and loans		0		(37,000)
Gain on sale of loans and investment securities, net		(21,000)
Gain on sale and deconsolidation of subsidiaries		(54,682,000)		(63,431,000)
Loss on extinguishment of debt		0		2,190,000
Deferred income tax (benefit) provision		17,169,000
Equity-based compensation issued		561,000
Equity-based compensation received		(153,000)
Trading securities purchases and sales, net		(3,470,000)
Loss from discontinued operations		30,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities		(2,615,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		(3,862,000)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures		(41,000)
Payments received on real estate loans and real estate		30,000
Investments in real estate and unconsolidated real estate entities		(981,000)
Principal (returns) payments on leases and loans		10,000
Proceeds from sale of Apidos, net of transaction costs and cash divested on deconsolidation		17,864,000
Proceeds from sale of loans and investments		55,000
Net cash provided by investing activities		16,937,000
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Principal payments on borrowings		(5,510,000)
Dividends paid		(1,151,000)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		1,056,000
Repurchase of common stock		(16,000)
Other financing activity		(39,000)
Net cash used in financing activities		(5,660,000)
CASH FLOWS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:
Operating activities		(549,000)
Net cash used in discontinued operations		(549,000)
Increase in cash		6,866,000
Cash, beginning of year		12,803,000
Cash, end of period	12,173,000	19,669,000	12,173,000	19,669,000
Consolidated Entity Excluding RSO [Member] | Restatement Adjustment - Intercompany Elimination [Member]
Net income		(1,054,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Equity-based compensation issued		(613,000)
Equity-based compensation received		153,000
CASH FLOWS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:
Cash, end of period	0		0
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | VIE - RSO [Member]
Net income	21,170,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Equity-based compensation issued	0
Changes in cash attributable to operations of consolidated VIE- RSO	(59,314,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(38,144,000)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of loans and investments	(473,710,000)
Principal payments and proceeds from sales received by consolidated VIE - RSO	584,563,000
Increase in restricted cash - consolidated VIE RSO	(5,926,000)
Other - consolidated VIE - RSO	(14,022,000)
Net cash provided by investing activities	90,905,000
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net repayments of debt by consolidated VIE - RSO	(182,637,000)
Dividends paid on common stock of consolidated VIE - RSO	(43,665,000)
Net proceeds from issuance of equity by consolidated VIE - RSO	179,826,000
Other financing activity	(6,285,000)
Net cash used in financing activities	(52,761,000)
CASH FLOWS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:
Increase in cash	0
Cash, beginning of year	0
Cash, end of period	0		0
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Consolidated Entity Excluding RSO [Member]
Net income	2,249,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	996,000
Other-than-temporary impairment on investments	214,000
Provision for credit losses	1,985,000
Unrealized gain on trading securities	(502,000)
Equity in (earnings) losses of unconsolidated entities	(1,144,000)
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	1,566,000
Gain on sale of loans and investment securities, net	(1,716,000)
Gain on sale of assets	1,623,000
Deferred income tax (benefit) provision	(1,657,000)
Equity-based compensation issued	610,000
Payment of Share Based Compensation Received	(654,000)
Trading securities purchases and sales, net	(618,000)
Loss from discontinued operations	2,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	2,007,000
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	1,715,000
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures	(474,000)
Payments received on real estate loans and real estate	2,049,000
Investments in real estate and unconsolidated real estate entities	(997,000)
Principal (returns) payments on leases and loans	(3,000)
Purchase of loans and investments	(1,522,000)
Net cash provided by investing activities	(947,000)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Increase in borrowings	2,000,000
Principal payments on borrowings	(2,243,000)
Dividends paid	(1,183,000)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	1,253,000
Repurchase of common stock	(54,000)
Other financing activity	228,000
Net cash used in financing activities	1,000
CASH FLOWS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:
Operating activities	(495,000)
Net cash used in discontinued operations	(495,000)
Increase in cash	274,000
Cash, beginning of year	$ 11,899,000