Israel Ruiz Jr. (born July 10, 1943) is an American attorney and politician from New York who served as a member of the New York State Senate and New York City Council.

Early life and education He was born on July 10, 1943, in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Queens College in 1968, and a Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School in 1972.New York Red Book (1987–1988; pg. 154)

Career He was a member of the New York State Senate from 1975 to 1989, sitting in the 181st, 182nd, 183rd, 184th, 185th, 186th, 187th and 188th New York State Legislatures. In 1985, he ran in the Democratic primary for President of the New York City Council, but was defeated by Andrew Stein,BOROUGH CHIEF DEFEATS LIPPER BY 2-TO-1 EDGE by Jeffrey Schmalz, in The New York Times on September 11, 1985 coming in third among six candidates.VOTING TOTALS IN CITY PRIMARY in The New York Times on September 12, 1985

On August 23, 1988, Ruiz was indicted for fraud and perjury. He was accused of funneling part of the money received from the State by a non-profit organization into his own pockets, and of lying to a bank while asking for a personal loan.Bronx Legislator Indicted in Bank Fraud by George James, in The New York Times on August 24, 1988 On November 8, he was re-elected to the State Senate.THE ELECTIONS; New York State Senate in The New York Times on November 10, 1988 His trial began on January 19, 1989, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. On February 3, 1989, he was convicted of filing a false loan application statement, but was acquitted of the perjury charges.A State Senator Is Found Guilty In a Loan Case in The New York Times on February 4, 1989

Controversy arose again whether the conviction would vacate the State Senate seat automatically, or whether the seat would be vacated only after sentencing, or not at all. State law expressly states that the seat is vacated upon conviction for a felony. Previously it was assumed that the seat would be vacated automatically only in case of conviction in a State court, but would be vacated in case of conviction in a federal court only at sentencing. Also, the crime of which Ruiz was convicted is classified under federal law as a felony, but under State law only as a misdemeanor. On February 10, Attorney General Robert Abrams ruled that Ruiz's seat was vacant and ordered to withhold the payment of Ruiz's State Senate salary. Abrams cited a decision of October 1988 by the New York Court of Appeals which ruled that any federal felony conviction also automatically vacates a seat in the State Legislature.Ruiz Dropped From Payroll Of New York in The New York Times on February 11, 1989 Nevertheless, Ruiz hung on to his seat, but refrained from voting in the Senate. On May 10, Ruiz was sentenced by Judge Peter K. Leisure to six months in jail.Ruiz Draws 6 Months In Lying to Get Loan in The New York Times on May 11, 1989

On May 26, Temporary President of the State Senate Ralph J. Marino announced that he would file a statement with Governor Mario Cuomo that the seat formerly occupied by Ruiz was now vacant.Majority Leader Will Expel Ruiz in The New York Times on May 27, 1989 On June 9, Governor Cuomo called a special election to fill the vacancy.Election Called for Ruiz Seat in The New York Times on June 10, 1989 Ruiz tried to run in the Democratic primary for his former seat, but was barred by the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, ruling that an expelled member may not run for the same term in office again.Former Senator From the Bronx Is Off the Ballot by Ronald Sullivan, in The New York Times on August 29, 1989 [This ruling disagrees with the events of 1920 when five Socialist assemblymen were expelled, and then re-elected at a special election to fill the seats in the 143rd New York State Legislature.] On August 31, the Appellate Division's decision was upheld by the Court of Appeals.Ruiz's Ballot Removal Upheld in The New York Times on September 1, 1989

In 1991, Ruiz entered the Democratic primary for the 14th district of the New York City Council. Soon after the election, Ruiz was believed to have narrowly defeated Sandra Ramos-Alamo, but two weeks later, on September 25, the official result was announced: Ruiz was defeated with a margin of 23 votes by Ramos-AlamoFinal Counts in Council Contests; New Winner in Tight Bronx Race in The New York Times on September 26, 1989 On October 8, the primary election was voided, and a new election was ordered.Judges Dismiss Results of 2 Democratic Primaries in The New York Times on October 9, 1989 On October 22, Ruiz defeated Ramos-Alamo,Finally, 2 Win Council Races In 2 Primaries in The New York Times on October 23, 1989 and in November was elected to the City Council. He remained in the City Council until 1997. In September 1997, Ruiz challenged the incumbent Borough President of the Bronx Fernando Ferrer in the Democratic primary, but was defeated.

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