A retired New York state judge and prosecutor, who left his position at the Orange County District Attorney’s Office just months earlier, tragically took his own life as federal agents arrived to arrest him. He was involved in a bribery investigation that reportedly led to a major indictment.
Stewart Rosenwasser, the former judge, was found dead on Tuesday after he fatally shot himself at his residence in Campbell Hall, not far from Middletown. FBI agents had come to his home with a warrant for his arrest on charges including bribery, extortion, and other crimes, according to reports from WABC and other outlets.
The Times Union reported that Rosenwasser exchanged gunfire with an FBI agent before he died by suicide.
Rosenwasser’s career spanned several notable roles. He served as a judge from 1999 to 2006, including a stint as an acting justice for the New York State Supreme Court. Upon his retirement in 2006, Rosenwasser, known for his tough sentencing, earned the nickname “Maximum Stew” due to his reputation for issuing harsh penalties to violent offenders. One reason for his departure was reportedly frustration over not receiving a salary increase during his seven-year tenure, despite earning a six-figure income, according to the Times Herald-Record.
Following his time as a judge, Rosenwasser worked as a referee for the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct and eventually led the Orange County District Attorney’s Office’s Conviction Integrity Unit. In November 2023, he was honored as “Arson Prosecutor of the Year.” However, by June 2024, he resigned abruptly, announcing his immediate retirement from law practice, as reported by News 12.
Recently, it came to light that the District Attorney’s office was reviewing several cases Rosenwasser had managed. Allegations emerged that he accepted bribes, reportedly totaling tens of thousands of dollars, from former restaurant owner Moutz “Marty” Soudani. The bribes were allegedly to prosecute Soudani’s sister, Eman Soudani, and her son, Martin Soudani, for involvement in a cryptocurrency scheme. In 2023, Martin Soudani pleaded guilty to embezzling $1.6 million but has since sought to have his conviction overturned due to the bribery allegations against Rosenwasser and has filed a related lawsuit.
Following Rosenwasser’s death, NBC New York confirmed that he had been indicted for accepting $63,000 in bribes and faced additional charges including conspiracy, wire fraud, extortion, and making false statements.
FBI sources indicated there was an “agent-involved shooting” during the incident, with an agent firing at Rosenwasser when he was seen holding a gun. Barricaded inside, Rosenwasser allegedly turned the gun on himself before the arrest could be made.
In 2006, a report mentioned that Rosenwasser had four children, two of whom became attorneys. One of his sons reportedly worked as a prosecutor in the same Orange County District Attorney’s office.
