Suffolk official takes leave after arrest

A Suffolk County employee has taken an indefinite leave after a weekend drunken driving arrest, officials said Monday.

August Ruckdeschel, a $55,149-a-year farmlands administrator in the economic development and planning department, was stopped Saturday by Southold police in Cutchogue, said aides to County Executive Steve Bellone.

Bellone, a Democrat, had hired Ruckdeschel, part of the extended family of Democratic County Legis. Ricardo Montano, in early April. Bellone aides said at the time that Ruckdeschel, who has a master's degree in urban planning, received the job "on merit."

Monday, Deputy County Executive Jon Schneider said Ruckdeschel, 33, of Ronkonkoma, informed his bosses of the arrest Sunday evening. He volunteered to take an indefinite leave while he pursues counseling, Schneider said.