Sarasota prosecutors to handle all matters with disgraced Lee judge

Prosecutors in Fort Myers won’t handle any part of a case involving a Lee County judge picked up in a prostitution sting. Gov. Ron DeSantis assigned Sarasota prosecutors to the case instead.

Amira Fox, State Attorney for the 20^th Circuit, recused herself from the case against former Circuit Court Judge Jay Rosman. The Governor redirected the case to Ed Brodsky, State Attorney for the neighboring 12^th Judicial Circuit.

“It is in the best interests of the State of Florida and of the ends of justice that the Honorable Ed Brodsky discharge the duties of the Honorable Amira D. Fox,” an executive order reads.

Rosman resigned his seat on the bench last year days after being arrested in a prostitution sting, according to the News-Press. Rosman first took office at the circuit court level in 1992 and had previously served as Chief Judge.

Before becoming a county judge in 1986, Rosman worked in the state attorney’s office and public defender’s office for the 20^th circuit.

He was one of six men busted by Naples police, who say Rosman arranged a meeting with an undercover officer and agreed to pay $300 for a sex act. Police say he resisted arrest and had to be handcuffed.

The arrest occurred in the 20^th circuit, where Rosman presided at the time.

The Naples Daily News reported in March that Rosman entered into an agreement to defer prosecution.

The state attorney’s office first asked to be taken off the case last year. Rosman recently asked for arrest records to be sealed and expunged, prompting fresh action from the governor’s office.

The executive order makes clear that all matters related to Rosman will be handled by Brodsky’s office at least until February of next year. Brodksy and any assistant state attorneys put on the case have authority to execute their duties in the 20^th circuit.