Joseph Ruddy: Bodycam footage shows federal drug prosecutor offering business card to cops after DUI arrest
TAMPA, FLORIDA: Federal narcotics prosecutor Joseph Ruddy was caught on camera handing cops his business card in order to avoid being charged in a hit-and-run while his blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit.
The 59-year-old was standing outside his house holding his business card when Florida's Tampa Police Department officers arrived to investigate an accident on July 4.
Joseph Ruddy seen drunk in bodycam footage
In a video obtained by the Associated Press, Ruddy is seen slumped over his pickup truck as officers approach, looking clearly inebriated.
He tries to straighten up, waving his card in the direction of the pursuing officers.
"What are you trying to hand me?" the officer questioned. "You realize when they pull my body-worn camera footage and they see this, this is going to go really bad."
Witness's statement
According to a witness, Ruddy did not try to "hit the brake" when he crashed, as per the outlet.
"He just kept going and he was swerving all the way up the road. I’m like, ‘No, he’s going to hurt somebody.' So I just followed him until I got the tag number and just called and reported it," the witness stated.
Ruddy admits in the video that he fled the site of the hit-and-run. "You hit a vehicle and you ran. You ran because you’re drunk," the cop said.
"You probably didn’t realize you hit the vehicle," the officer remarked, to which Ruddy appeared to nod his head in agreement before replying, "Yes."
"Why didn’t you stop?” the officer questioned. "I didn't realize it was that serious," the prosecutor responded, slurring.
What are the charges against Joseph Ruddy?
Ruddy's blood alcohol level was 0.17%, which was twice the legal limit.
He was accused of driving under the influence with property damage but not of leaving the scene of an accident.
He is also charged with sideswiping an SUV whose occupant was waiting to turn at a red light, clipping a side mirror, and tearing off another piece of the car, which was later discovered embedded in Ruddy's pickup truck's fender.
Ruddy, who is reportedly known as one of the architects of Operation Panama Express (PANEX), was representing the United States in court as recently as last week, more than two months after the DUI incident.
When is Joseph Ruddy's next court appearance?
On Wednesday, the Justice Department confirmed to the publication that the prosecutor had been removed from three outstanding criminal cases and from his supervisory post at the US Attorney's Office in Tampa.
Ruddy is scheduled to appear in court again on September 27.