A former leader in the Orange County, New York prosecutor’s office who was accused of collecting bribe money was killed in a gunshot at his house Tuesday morning as the FBI approached to arrest him, according to sources familiar with the case.
Stewart Rosenwasser, the former chief counsel to the Orange County DA’s office and executive assistant district attorney, allegedly abused his position in the prosecutors’ office to launch a criminal investigation at the request of a millionaire former restaurant owner, according to an unsealed federal indictment.
The indictment accused Rosenwasser of accepting at least $63,000 in bribes. The indictment suspects Rosenwasser of collecting bribe payments primarily in the form of checks or money orders starting in 2022.
The indictment accuses Rosenwasser of bribery, conspiracy to commit bribery, extortion under the color of official power, making false statements, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, and honest services wire fraud.
The FBI arrived at Rosenwasser’s home in the remote Orange County village of Campbell Hall early Tuesday morning to take him into custody when he pointed a gun at investigators, prompting the FBI to fire at least one shot, according to two sources familiar with the situation. According to the reports, Rosenwasser then barricaded himself and appears to have committed suicide.
In a statement, the FBI stated that its Inspection Division was “reviewing an agent-involved shooting,” as is standard procedure.
“As this is an ongoing matter, we have no further details to provide,” the statement said.
Rosenwasser garnered numerous awards while working for the district attorney’s office before suddenly resigning in June.
“It’s extremely unfortunate that things ended this way. My sincere condolences go out to his family,” Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said in a statement. The District Attorney’s office declined to comment further.
On Tuesday afternoon in White Plains, Rosenwasser was due to appear in federal court.
