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A former prosecutor and retired judge in Orange County, New York, Stewart Rosenwasser took his own life on Tuesday as federal agents arrived at his home to arrest him. The FBI was conducting an investigation into allegations of corruption, specifically related to bribery.
Background of Stewart Rosenwasser
Rosenwasser had a well-established reputation from years of public service and maintained a key position in the Orange County District Attorney’s office. However, he was accused of wrongdoing, which caused his career to take a bad turn. According to reports, he was being investigated for taking bribes while acting in his official position. The particular claims were that he had taken bribe payments totaling $63,000 from a guy known as Mout’z Soudani. In exchange, Rosenwasser was charged with misusing his power by looking into and bringing charges against two Soudani associates.
Circumstances of the Incident
The FBI was supposed to execute the arrest at Rosenwasser’s Campbell Hall home the morning before he passed away. According to law enforcement officials, there was an exchange of gunfire during this incident. The FBI released a statement stating that an agent-involved gunshot had occurred. They stressed how seriously they take these kinds of situations. The statement read, “The FBI is reviewing an agent-involved shooting that occurred earlier this morning in Campbell Hall, NY. The FBI takes all shooting incidents involving our agents seriously. In accordance with FBI policy, the shooting incident is under review by the FBI’s Inspection Division. As this is an ongoing matter, we have no further details to provide.”
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
Rosenwasser’s case had become more serious over time, and it was decided to take him into custody. The delicate nature of the matter was highlighted when federal prosecutors from the Southern District of New York declined to comment on the case. Rosenwasser’s retirement from the Orange County District Attorney’s office in June indicated a dramatic turn in his career, as he faced rising criticism over his alleged behavior.