Brooklyn Park’s public works director has been indicted in Georgia on multiple felony charges following an alleged sexual assault during a trip to Atlanta.
Daniel Ruiz was arrested by Atlanta police in September 2024 after an incident at the Club Wyndham Atlanta Hotel. A woman told police that Ruiz forced her into non-consensual sexual acts after a night of drinking.
According to the grand jury indictment, Ruiz is charged with rape, aggravated sodomy, false imprisonment, and battery for allegedly holding the woman down by the wrists and dragging her across the room, causing visible injuries.
Ruiz is scheduled to appear in Fulton County Superior Court for arraignment and to enter a plea in June, according to court records.
Media reports and city records indicate Ruiz was in Atlanta attending the American Public Works Association’s annual PWX conference, held Sept. 8–11. City credit card receipts show Ruiz and another Brooklyn Park official stayed at the Club Wyndham Atlanta Hotel during the trip, KSTP previously reported.
According to the Sun Post, a city spokesperson said Ruiz is currently on paid administrative leave and will resign from city employment effective June 27, 2025.
Ruiz has worked for the city since 2002 and became public works director in 2014, according to his LinkedIn page.
Ruiz’s biography remained on the City of Brooklyn Park’s website through May 22, but has since been removed.
Ruiz’s attorney, Gabe Banks, said in a statement to CCX Media last year:
“Mr. Ruiz is extremely disappointed in the city of Atlanta Police Department’s decision to arrest him surrounding false allegations involving an encounter he had with his wife and High School sweetheart of over 32 years while they visited Atlanta to celebrate their 26th-year anniversary. While Mr. Ruiz takes the allegations against him very seriously, he denies any wrongdoing and remains confident that his name will be cleared of all allegations through the judicial process.”
Alpha News reached out to the city of Brooklyn Park for comment but did not receive a response.
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
