The Justice Department’s Office of Inspector General found that federal narcotics prosecutor Joseph Ruddy engaged in misconduct by drunkenly handing his business card to Florida police during a hit-and-run investigation. The incident occurred after Ruddy was accused of striking another vehicle and attempting to use his position as an assistant U.S. attorney to mitigate the consequences of the crash. Despite being intoxicated and disoriented, Ruddy provided his Justice Department credentials to officers from two jurisdictions involved in the investigation, leading to allegations of misuse of position and conduct prejudicial to the government.
Following inquiries from the Associated Press about Ruddy’s status, he was removed from several cases but remains an assistant U.S. attorney. The Justice Department confirmed that the case was referred to the inspector general’s office, which substantiated the allegations. Investigators found that Ruddy drove drunk, left the scene of the crash, and exhibited behavior prejudicial to the government, prompting a referral to the Justice Department’s Professional Misconduct Review Unit for further action. Despite the findings, Ruddy and his attorney have not responded to requests for comment.
Ruddy is known for his involvement in Operation Panama Express (PANEX), a task force targeting cocaine smuggling at sea. PANEX, which launched in 2000, is credited with contributing to over 90% of U.S. Coast Guard drug interdictions at sea, resulting in the removal or destruction of 888 metric tons of cocaine valued at $26 billion. Ruddy’s work in Tampa with PANEX has been instrumental in handling cases involving drug smuggling, including extraditions of top smugglers from Colombia’s Cali cartel and prosecution of lower-level drug trade participants.
Despite his reputation for hard work and toughness in the courtroom, Ruddy faced legal challenges after the hit-and-run incident, which ended in a plea deal for reckless driving instead of DUI charges. State prosecutors did not charge Ruddy with hit-and-run, citing lack of witnesses to confirm he was behind the wheel during the incident. Ruddy’s blood-alcohol level tested at 0.17%, twice the legal limit, leading to his pleading no contest to reckless driving and receiving 12 months’ probation. The resolution was viewed as holding the defendant accountable while addressing the lack of evidence for DUI charges.
The night of Ruddy’s arrest involved a witness describing him sideswiping an SUV, not stopping, and swerving recklessly on the road. Police found him at his home in a disoriented state, leaning on his pickup for support, urinating on himself, and failing a field sobriety test. Despite admitting to not realizing the seriousness of the situation, Ruddy’s behavior during the incident raised concerns about his conduct and judgment as an assistant U.S. attorney. The outcome of the case highlighted the challenges in prosecuting individuals with positions of authority involved in criminal activities, as evidenced by the handling of Ruddy’s case by state prosecutors.
