Andrew Ruotolo

Andrew Keogh Ruotolo II (November 5, 1952 – September 21, 1995) was an American politician who served as the Union County, New Jersey, prosecutor. He established the Union County Human Relations Commission that fought against hate crimes in the county. In 1992 he formed the Essex-Union County Auto Theft Task Force which led to a 20% reduction in motor vehicle thefts in the Newark, New Jersey, metropolitan area. He served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey from 1981 to 1984.

While at Westfield High School, he was named to the All-America swimming team. He was a 1974 graduate of Amherst College and a 1978 graduate of Fordham University Law School. He served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey from 1981 to 1984, where he worked in the Criminal Division.

Governor Jim Florio appointed him to serve as Prosecutor in 1991, following the death of John H. Stamler.

In 1992 he proposed the Essex-Union County Auto Theft Task Force with James F. Mulvihill, the Essex County, New Jersey, prosecutor. On the motor vehicle theft problem he said: "You have impoverished youth growing up in a society that measures your value by what kind of car you drive ... these youngsters have the ability to steal expensive cars that they feel gives them instant status in their community ... you give me 100 [new jail] beds and I'll cut the car theft problem in Newark in half". He died of esophageal cancer on September 21, 1995, in Westfield, New Jersey.

Legacy The New Jersey County Prosecutor's Association has created the Andrew K. Ruotolo, Jr. Memorial Scholarship, a need-based scholarship for students admitted to law school.

His widow, Mary P. Ruotolo, served as a Union County Freeholder from 1998 to 2004. He had three children with his wife Mary: Lyndsay, Andrew Keogh Ruotolo III, and Jayne.