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Jorge Rodriguez-Chomat

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Jorge Rodriguez-Chomat
Rodriguez-Chomat in 2013
Judge of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida
In office
2011 – January 2, 2017
Preceded byWilliam Johnson
Personal details
Born(1945-06-28)June 28, 1945
Havana, Cuba
DiedAugust 19, 2017(2017-08-19) (aged 72)
Miami, Florida, U.S.
Cause of deathProstate cancer
NationalityAmerican
Political partyRepublican
Alma materSt. Thomas University
Military service
Allegiance United States
Unit U.S. Army Reserve

Jorge Rodriguez-Chomat (June 28, 1945 – August 19, 2017) was a Cuban-American politician and judge. He was a one-term member of the Florida House of Representatives representing a district in West Miami for the Republican Party from 1994 until his defeat in 1998. He served as a Judge of the Criminal and Family Divisions of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida from 2011 until his retirement in 2017.

Early life and education

Rodriguez-Chomat was born in Havana and was active in the Cuban-American lobby. He attended high school briefly, but dropped out to support his family. He was educated at St. Thomas University and served in the U.S. Army Reserve.[1] Rodriguez-Chomat went on to work as an accountant, an IRS agent and a tax lawyer before winning office as a lawmaker and later serving as a judge.[1]

Career

In 2013, Rodriguez-Chomat was the subject of a viral video after a teenage girl arrested on drugs charges giggled throughout her bond hearing and flippantly told Rodriguez-Chomat "adios" as she walked off. He responded by calling her back and doubling her bond amount. After the girl, Penelope Soto, angrily replied by saying "F*** you", and gave him the middle finger, he sentenced her to 30 days imprisonment for contempt of court, bidding her "adios". After she apologized at a hearing four days later, he withdrew the contempt citations and urged her to seek drug counselling.[2][3]

Death

Rodriguez-Chomat died on August 19, 2017 after a long battle with prostate cancer at age 72. He was survived by his wife, Susanita Ferro Rodriguez-Chomat and his children and stepchildren.[3][1]

References

  1. ^ a b c Ovalle, David (20 August 2017). "Jorge Rodriguez-Chomat, a Miami judge who 'only wanted to do good', dies at 72". Miami Herald. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  2. ^ "Penelope Soto Apologizes To Judge For Flipping Him The Bird In Court". Huffington Post. Oath Inc. February 8, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  3. ^ a b Morejon, Liane; Torres, Andrea (August 20, 2017). "Judge Jorge Rodriguez-Chomat dies at 72". Local 10. Berkshire Hathaway Company. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
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