A former prosecutor and retired judge in New York, Stewart Rosenwasser, took his own life on September 24, 2024, as FBI agents arrived at his Campbell Hall home to arrest him on charges related to a corruption and bribery case. Rosenwasser, once a respected figure in the Orange County judicial system, had been accused of accepting bribes in a high-profile embezzlement case.
Rosenwasser, who served as a judge and later worked for the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, was under investigation for accepting $63,000 in bribes from Mout’z Soudani. Soudani, a businessman involved in a separate embezzlement case, allegedly paid Rosenwasser to pursue charges against two of his relatives, including his nephew, Martin Soudani, who was accused of stealing nearly $1.6 million from him. The bribery scheme reportedly involved pressuring prosecutors to aggressively pursue charges against Martin and another family member.
SOURCES: Ex-Orange County judge accused of taking bribes fatally shoots himself during FBI raid at his Campbell Hall home – https://t.co/tjplxdBVuT pic.twitter.com/xE0EBSBwgs
— Blaise Gomez (@BlaiseGomez12) September 24, 2024
The FBI arrived at Rosenwasser's home early Tuesday morning to execute his arrest, but the situation quickly escalated. According to reports, Rosenwasser barricaded himself inside and exchanged gunfire with federal agents before turning the gun on himself. This marked a tragic end to the career of a man who once held a prominent position in the New York judicial system. The FBI later confirmed that they were investigating the agent-involved shooting, in accordance with their standard policy.
Rosenwasser's involvement in this corruption case shocked the local community. Known for his tough sentencing during his tenure as a judge, Rosenwasser had earned the nickname “Maximum Stew” for his strict handling of violent criminals. His downfall began when evidence surfaced of his improper relationship with Mout’z Soudani, which included accepting bribes in exchange for using his influence as a prosecutor. The federal indictment that led to the FBI’s raid was reportedly issued just days before his death.
FBI RAID UPDATE: News 12 has learned that a retired Orange County judge and former executive assistant district attorney, died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound after an exchange of gunfire with FBI agents, according to officials. #news12wchttps://t.co/c1MFHTsQAi pic.twitter.com/jUv6THzwwX
— News12WC (@News12WC) September 25, 2024
The allegations against Rosenwasser came after a broader investigation into corruption in Orange County. In June 2024, Rosenwasser resigned from the District Attorney’s office as the probe intensified, though he continued to deny the allegations. Despite his resignation, federal prosecutors pressed forward with charges of conspiracy to commit bribery and wire fraud.
The case that ensnared Rosenwasser involved not just the financial crimes of the Soudani family but also the potential misuse of prosecutorial power. Federal investigators uncovered text messages between Rosenwasser and Mout’z Soudani that appeared to confirm their illicit arrangement. In one message, Rosenwasser assured Soudani that he was using all available resources to pursue charges against the businessman’s family members. These communications played a crucial role in building the federal case against both men.
This incident adds to a growing list of judicial figures facing federal scrutiny in recent years. The case serves as a stark reminder of how power can be corrupted, even at the highest levels of law enforcement. The FBI has stated that their review of the shooting incident is ongoing, though no further details have been provided.
As the investigation continues, Rosenwasser’s tragic end underscores the deep personal and professional consequences of corruption. His legacy, once marked by his tough-on-crime reputation, will now be overshadowed by his involvement in this scandal and his dramatic final moments.
