Putnam County District Attorney Adam Levy, who is the son of Judy Sheindlin, AKA, Judge Judy, is suing a New York sheriff for $ 5 million claiming that the law enforcement officer tried to tarnish his name in a child rape case.
Levy said Sheriff Donald Smith “maliciously attempted to destroy” his reputation by saying that he interfered with a rape case involving personal friend, Alexandru Hossu.
In his lawsuit, which he filed against Smith as an individual and not as a county employee in order to free tax payers of any liability, Levy said after he recused himself from the rape case against Hossu, the Sheriff still accused him of having “ongoing and improper involvement”, trying to influence its outcome.
In March of this year, Levy issued a news release saying in part: “Mr. Levy’s comments and actions would seem to suggest that, if he could have his own way, Mr. Hossu would never have been brought to justice for his crime and Mr. Levy’s relationship with him would never have been brought to light of public scrutiny.”
Levy, who said Hossu had been a frequent houseguest at his home between 2011 and 2012, said Smith gave out his home address knowing that Hossu was only staying with him temporarily and he had a place of his own.
Sheriff Smith however denied ever trying to destroy Levy’s reputation adding that the timing of the lawsuit was “blatantly political”, implying that it was intended to damage his re-election campaign.
Hossu, who is also Levy’s personal trainer, is accused of raping a 13-yeyar-old girl, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
In addition to Levy recusing himself and his office from the case, Putnam County judges have also recused themselves, so the case is being handled by a judge and prosecutors in Westchester County.
Smith is running for re-election in November.
Greenwich resident Judge Judy issued a statement calling her son “principled, honorable and dedicated.” She said when “someone attacks his character professionally or personally they best prepared to back it up…shut up or pay up.”
Both Levy and Smith are Republicans.
