FORM 4 Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Section 17(a) of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940

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(Print or Type Responses)

1. Name and Address of Reporting Person * DISTASO DAVID MICHAEL   2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol ISTAR FINANCIAL INC [SFI] 5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer (Check all applicable) _____ Director _____ 10% Owner __X__ Officer (give title below) _____ Other (specify below) CHIEF ACCOUNTING OFFICER (Last) (First) (Middle) 1114 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, 39TH FLOOR 3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year) 02/17/2010 (Street) NEW YORK, NY 10036 4. If Amendment, Date Original Filed(Month/Day/Year) 6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing(Check Applicable Line) _X_ Form filed by One Reporting Person ___ Form filed by More than One Reporting Person (City) (State) (Zip) Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned

1.Title of Security (Instr. 3) 2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year) 2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year) 3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5) 5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4) 6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4) Code V Amount (A) or (D) Price Restricted Stock Units 02/17/2010   P   8,919 (1) A $ 0 40,512 (2) (3) D

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Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
(e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)

1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3)

2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security

3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)

3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)

4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)

5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4, and 5)

6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (Month/Day/Year)

7. Title and Amount of Underlying Securities (Instr. 3 and 4)

8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5)

9. Number of Derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4)

10. Ownership Form of Derivative Security: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)

11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)

Code

V

(A)

(D)

Date Exercisable

Expiration Date

Title

Amount or Number of Shares

Reporting Owners

Reporting Owner Name / Address	Relationships
	Director	10% Owner	Officer	Other
DISTASO DAVID MICHAEL 1114 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS 39TH FLOOR NEW YORK, NY 10036			CHIEF ACCOUNTING OFFICER

Signatures

s/ David M. DiStaso		02/20/2010
**Signature of Reporting Person		Date

Explanation of Responses:

*	If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4(b)(v).
**	Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations. See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).
(1)	On February 17, 2010, the Compensation Committee of iStar Financial Inc.'s Board of Directors approved an incentive award to the Reporting Person in the amount of 8,919 Restricted Stock Units (Units). The Units represent the right to receive an equivalent number of shares of iStar common stock (net of shares deducted for applicable taxes and other withholdings) if and when the Units vest. These Units will cliff vest on February 17, 2012 if vesting conditions, including the Reporting Person's continued employment, are satisified.
(2)	Following this award, the Reporting Person owns a total of 40,512 Restricted Stock Units, representing the right to receive an equivalent number of shares of iStar common stock (net of shares deducted for applicable taxes and other withholdings) if and when the Units vest in accordance with the terms of the agreements for the Units.
(3)	In addition to these Restricted Stock Units, the Reporting Person is the beneficial owner of a total of 386 shares of iStar common stock, all of which are owned directly.

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