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
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 114th district
In office
1994–1998
Preceded byMiguel De Grandy
Succeeded byGaston Cantens
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. 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 told Rodriguez-Chomat "adiós" as she walked off. He responded by calling her back and doubling her bond amount, to her disbelief, after which he bade her "adiós". After the girl, Penelope Soto, responded by saying "Fuck you", and gave him the middle finger, he sentenced her to 30 days in the county jail for criminal contempt of court. 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. 1 2 3 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. February 8, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  3. 1 2 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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