Florida Man Acquitted of Attempted Murder Charges in '90 Day Fiancé' Boat Incident

Cole Goldberg cleared of all accusations after nearly 4-year legal battle over chaotic Boca Bash event

Mar. 29, 2026 at 1:03pm

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A Florida man, Cole Goldberg, has been acquitted of all charges, including attempted second-degree murder, domestic battery by strangulation, and simple battery, related to an incident at the 2022 Boca Bash boating event where he was accused of trying to drown his then-girlfriend, a '90 Day Fiancé' personality named Caroline Schwitzky. Goldberg maintained the situation was 'chaotic' and misinterpreted, and the judge found the evidence insufficient to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Why it matters

The case highlights the complexities of eyewitness testimony and public perception in high-profile incidents, especially those involving celebrities or reality TV personalities. It also raises questions about the legal system's ability to fairly adjudicate cases with conflicting accounts and limited evidence.

The details

Prosecutors alleged that Goldberg attacked Schwitzky during an argument aboard a boat at the 2022 Boca Bash, a massive annual boating event in Lake Boca Raton. Authorities claimed Goldberg followed Schwitzky into the water and tried to drown her before a bystander intervened. However, Goldberg testified that he entered the water to help Schwitzky get to safety, but quickly began to panic in the current himself, with any physical contact being brief and unintentional.

  • The incident occurred on April 24, 2022 at the Boca Bash event.
  • Goldberg was charged in 2022 and the trial took place on March 12, 2026.

The players

Cole Goldberg

A Florida man who was charged with attempted second-degree murder, domestic battery by strangulation and simple battery related to an incident at the 2022 Boca Bash boating event. He was ultimately acquitted of all charges.

Caroline Schwitzky

Goldberg's then-girlfriend, who appeared on '90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After?' as the agent for cast member Paola Mayfield.

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What they’re saying

“After nearly four years of living under these accusations, of course the court found me not guilty on all accounts. I'm extremely, incredibly grateful for my attorneys, my family, basically everyone who supported me throughout this whole process. It was just an amazing experience. I could breathe now. It was a huge relief and weight off my shoulders.”

— Cole Goldberg

“It was definitely a chaotic situation on the water. I couldn't swim. I was struggling in the water from the outside. Some people thought they were seeing something and misperceived something more serious than what actually happened. And that perception ultimately led to these kind of charges.”

— Cole Goldberg

“I just touched her shoulder for one to two seconds just to keep my head above water, and this is when I had all these accusations happen. It's very unfortunate. There was zero intent at all to do any harm, and these accusations were just ridiculous.”

— Cole Goldberg

What’s next

Goldberg plans to pursue a legal career and begin studying for the LSAT, saying he feels he can 'resonate with future clients' given his personal experience with the legal system.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges of eyewitness testimony and public perception in high-profile incidents, especially those involving celebrities or reality TV personalities. It also raises questions about the fairness of the legal system in adjudicating cases with conflicting accounts and limited evidence.