Former New York prosecutor indicted in bribery case found dead in apparent suicide as FBI arrive to make arrest

Stewart Rosenwasser, a former Orange County prosecutor, was found dead in an apparent suicide at his home as federal agents arrived to arrest him on bribery charges. The FBI was at his home to take him into custody after a federal indictment was unsealed alleging that he accepted bribes while serving as chief counsel to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. Rosenwasser allegedly pointed a gun at the agents, leading to an agent firing at him before he barricaded himself and took his own life. The indictment accuses Rosenwasser of accepting at least $63,000 in bribe payments and using his position to investigate and prosecute individuals at the request of a co-defendant. The co-defendant, a self-proclaimed millionaire, allegedly paid Rosenwasser to seize money from these individuals. Rosenwasser was accused of trying to conceal his criminal conduct by lying to senior leadership at the Orange County district attorney’s office. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York declined to comment on the case. Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler expressed sadness at Rosenwasser’s death, offering condolences to his family. Rosenwasser had received awards during his time in the district attorney’s office but resigned quietly in June. The FBI’s Inspection Division is reviewing the agent-involved shooting, according to the agency.

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