A former county court judge in New York took his own life during an FBI raid on his home, shocking the local legal community. The FBI was reportedly investigating Rosenwasser for alleged tax evasion.

According to News12 Winchester, Stewart Rosenwasser, a 72-year-old ex-judge and former executive assistant district attorney for Orange County, died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound as federal agents attempted to apprehend him. 

The incident unfolded on Tuesday when FBI agents arrived at Rosenwasser's residence in Campbell Hall. Law enforcement sources told ABC27 New York that Rosenwasser aimed a firearm at an agent, prompting the agent to fire a shot.

Following this exchange, Rosenwasser allegedly barricaded himself inside before taking his own life.

FBI Responds to Agent-Involved Shooting

The FBI released a statement acknowledging the incident and committing to a thorough review of the events that transpired. An FBI spokesperson said:

The FBI is reviewing an agent-involved shooting that occurred earlier this morning in Campbell Hall. 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.

This statement underscores the seriousness with which the bureau is approaching the incident, emphasizing their commitment to transparency and accountability in such cases.

The tragic event has sent ripples through the local legal community, where Rosenwasser was once a respected figure.

His sudden departure from the Orange County District Attorney's Office (OCDAO) in June had already raised eyebrows, but the circumstances of his death have left many shocked and searching for answers.

Allegations of Bribery and Misconduct

Beyond the tax evasion investigation that led to the fatal raid, Rosenwasser was reportedly facing other serious allegations. ABC27 New York reported that the former prosecutor was accused of accepting bribes totaling $63,000.

These allegations are linked to a case Rosenwasser allegedly initiated in 2022 while working at the OCDAO. The investigation reportedly centered on a cryptocurrency scheme involving Marty Soudani, who claimed his nephew had taken nearly $2 million from him.

Court documents obtained by ABC27 New York suggest that Rosenwasser had been in frequent communication with Soudani during the investigation. In one alleged text message, Rosenwasser wrote, "I'm putting maximum effort into this. We will utilize all available assets."

The documents also indicate that Rosenwasser received duplicates of money orders and checks written out to him, further complicating the ethical implications of his involvement in the case.

Legal Fallout and Family Claims

The case that Rosenwasser was allegedly involved in has had significant legal repercussions. Martin Soudani, the nephew implicated in the cryptocurrency scheme, pleaded guilty in 2023 and was sentenced to one to seven years in prison. He also compensated his uncle with nearly $500,000.

In August, both Martin Soudani and his mother, Eman, filed notices of claim. These legal actions allege that Rosenwasser and Marty Soudani exchanged private text messages during the investigation, suggesting improper conduct.

The claims also point to evidence of six payments made by Soudani to the former attorney, raising questions about the integrity of the legal proceedings.

These developments have cast a shadow over Rosenwasser's career and the cases he handled, potentially opening the door for further scrutiny of his past work and decisions.

The sudden end to Rosenwasser's life and career has left many in the legal community grappling with mixed emotions. His former boss at the OCDAO expressed condolences, stating, "It's truly heartbreaking that it ended this way. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family."

Conclusion

Rosenwasser's death during an FBI raid, the allegations of bribery, and his involvement in a controversial cryptocurrency case have raised serious questions about judicial conduct and the integrity of legal proceedings. The incident has shocked the New York legal community, led to an FBI investigation, and may result in a review of cases Rosenwasser handled during his tenure as a judge and prosecutor.