Giants 'superfan' Joseph Ruback accused of extortion

ByEyewitness News WABC logo
Friday, December 18, 2015
Giants superfan charged with extortion
Marcus Solis reporting live from Yonkers with the story. (Left photo: AP Photo/Rob Carr)

CLARKSTOWN, New York (WABC) -- A Rockland County, New York, man was arrested Thursday, accused of using threats to collect debts.

Joseph Ruback, 46, of New City, was arrested by organized crime detectives, and arraigned in Clarkstown.

Investigators in Rockland County accuse him of loan sharking. "The defendant used threats and intimidation to collect debts and charged usurious interest rates on outstanding debts," said Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Zugibe.

Ruback, who is known for wearing a chain of Giants license plates to games, has gained local notoriety as a New York Giants superfan and a fixture at games for a decade. His social media profile boasts that he has not missed a Giants game, home or away, in 15 years.

He also is athletic director for Leake & Watts school for troubled youth in Yonkers. According to a spokesman from the school, Ruback is on administrative leave. "The safety and well being of those in our care is our top priority," said Bob Knight.

A $2,000 bail was set for Ruback. His next court appearance is Jan. 11.