Florida Man Acquitted After Four-Year Legal Battle

A man from Florida, previously accused of attempting to drown his girlfriend during a tumultuous boat party, has been acquitted of all charges, wrapping up a legal ordeal that lasted nearly four years.

Cole Goldberg faced serious allegations, including attempted second-degree murder and domestic assault, but he was found not guilty on March 12 by a jury in Palm Beach County. This related to an incident in 2022 during Boca Bash, a well-known annual boating event in Lake Boca Raton.

Post-verdict, Goldberg expressed relief, calling the moment transformative for his life. “After living under these charges for almost four years, I am grateful to my attorneys, family, and everyone who stood by me throughout this journey. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders,” he stated.

Goldberg had been accused of attacking his then-girlfriend, Caroline Schwitsky, during an argument on their boat while at Boca Bash. Schwitsky, a talent agent based in Miami, was featured on “90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After?” as the agent for a cast member.

The Boca Bash event is notably lively and often involves large quantities of alcohol, attracting numerous boaters each year.

Witnesses reported that during the disagreement, Schwitsky jumped into the water, attempting to flee to another boat. Authorities claimed that Goldberg followed her and made an effort to drown her, but bystanders stepped in to stop the situation. However, Goldberg maintained that the chaos was misunderstood.

“It was a confusing situation,” he explained. “I was struggling in the water myself. Some people thought they witnessed something more severe than what really occurred, which ultimately led to these charges.”

Goldberg recounted that after finding safety on the boat, he reached out to Schwitsky to help her, but panic set in during the process. “I thought I might die—it was terrifying,” he noted.

He asserted that any contact with Schwitsky was minimal, saying, “I just touched her shoulder briefly to keep my head above water. It’s unfortunate that all this led to accusations.” He was adamant there was no malicious intent, calling the allegations baseless.

The case relied heavily on conflicting eyewitness testimonies. Goldberg observed that even those who witnessed the same event had vastly different interpretations of it. “Perception really impacted the outcome,” he stated.

Ultimately, the judge concluded there was a lack of sufficient evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, leading to his acquittal on all counts.

Goldberg shared that his career ambitions had been hampered during the lengthy legal process. “It definitely put plans on hold. I had just graduated from college at the time. I was set to start law school, but everything changed,” he reflected.

He articulated the frustration regarding public perception, admitting that people often form opinions based solely on headlines. “I had to confront a lot of assumptions throughout this four-year ordeal,” he added.

Now 27, Goldberg expressed his intention to pursue a legal career and prepare for the LSAT. “Having been in this position, I think I can connect with my future clients in a meaningful way,” he concluded.