Long Term Investments Equity Method Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments				$ 21,495	$ 20,484
Indian Creek and Boyar Value Fund [Member]
Balance Sheets
Investment securities				40,676	71,331
Cash and cash equivalents				101	309
Other assets				8,664	32
Total assets				49,441	71,672
Other liabilities				408	6,571
Total liabilities				408	6,571
Total shareholders' equity				49,033	65,101
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity				49,441	71,672
Income Statement
Revenues				565	3,314	$ 565
Expenses				(868)	(1,298)	(839)
Gross profit (loss)				(303)	2,016	(274)
Total net realized (loss) gain and net change in unrealized depreciation from investments				(14,809)	(168)	16,496
Income (loss) from continuing operations				(15,112)	1,848	16,222
Indian Creek Investors LP [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments				4,989	8,053
Boyar Value Fund [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments				7,302	0
Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments				9,204	12,173
Balance Sheets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 114,548	$ 94,952
Receivables from clearing brokers, note receivable and other receivable, net	115,334	123,947
Goodwill and intangible assets, net	269,774	211,862
Other assets	63,634	62,571
Total assets	563,290	493,332
Accrued compensation and commissions and fees payable	72,936	61,205
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	24,615	22,328
Unamortized discount	1,655	951
Notes payable, net of unamortized discount	59,184	62,131
Other liabilities	21,487	32,802
Total liabilities	178,222	178,466
Preferred stock	1	1
Common stock	19	18
Additional paid-in capital	517,988	452,263
Accumulated deficit	(132,952)	(137,406)
Total controlling shareholders' equity	385,056	314,876
Non-controlling interest	12	(10)
Total shareholders' equity	385,068	314,866
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	563,290	493,332
Income Statement
Revenues				1,122,735	867,756	753,840
Expenses				(1,132,010)	(856,072)	(756,988)
Gross profit (loss)				(9,275)	11,684	(3,148)
Change in fair value of contingent consideration				31	12	(121)
Income (loss) from continuing operations				(9,244)	11,696	(3,269)
Net income (loss)				4,396	22,482	$ (5,389)
Castle Brands [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments				$ 0	$ 258
Balance Sheets
Current assets	36,922	31,121
Non-current assets	9,845	9,834
Total assets	46,767	40,955
Current liabilities	9,947	8,703
Non-current liabilities	13,696	12,028
Total liabilities	23,643	20,731
Total controlling shareholders' equity	19,978	17,490
Non-controlling interest	3,146	2,734
Total shareholders' equity	23,124	20,224
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	46,767	40,955
Income Statement
Revenues	67,143	51,426	$ 43,484
Expenses	(41,317)	(32,495)	(28,117)
Gross profit (loss)	25,826	18,931	15,367
Other expenses	(25,920)	(20,399)	(19,176)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(94)	(1,468)	(3,809)
Net income (loss)	$ (2,946)	$ (4,845)	$ (8,604)