Watch CBS News

Former judge shoots himself in Campbell Hall, N.Y. as FBI comes to arrest him, sources say

Former Orange County judge dies by suicide as FBI comes to arrest him
Former Orange County judge dies by suicide as FBI comes to arrest him 01:32

CAMPBELL HALL, N.Y. -- A former judge shot and killed himself when FBI agents arrived at his Orange County home to arrest him Tuesday, police sources tell CBS News New York.

A quiet condominium complex along Route 416 in Campbell Hall quickly turned into a chaotic scene. A big police response was seen at the Blackburne Homes complex, where Stewart Rosenwasser, a former county court judge, took his own life.

Rosenwasser, who resigned from the Orange County District Attorney's Office in June, was accused in an indictment unsealed Tuesday of taking approximately $63,000 in bribes to leverage his position in the DA's office to investigate two people.

The indictment alleges Rosenwasser accepted bribes from Mout'z Soudani to investigate two of Soudani's relatives. It further alleges that Rosenwasser would provide Soudani updates on the investigation inappropriately in exchange for bribes.

"It's truly heartbreaking that it ended this way.  My heartfelt condolences go out to his family," Orange County DA David Hoovler said.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.