Adam Levy, the Putnam County District Attorney and son of Judge Judy sues a local sheriff for the amount of $5 million Wednesday for the sheriff saying that the district attorney interfered in a case.
County Sheriff Donald Smith was described by Levy as "an out-of-control sheriff who does not care about the truth. Judge Judy's son also said that the sheriff "maliciously attempted to destroy" his reputation as a prosecutor.
Now facing defamation charges, the sheriff told reporters that he did not defame the district attorney. He also released a statement that the lawsuit's timing is "blatantly political". The sheriff also implied in the statement that the lawsuit was intended to damage his campaign.
The lawsuit roots from a case against Alexandru Hossu, the prosecutor's former personal trainer. Levy admitted to being a close friend of Hossu who was charged in a child rape case. He also confirmed that Hossu was a frequent houseguest in his home between the years 2011 and 2012.
Although the sheriff said that Levy interfered with the case, Levy told reporters that he recused from the case upon learning that his "close personal friend" is being investigated.
The sheriff said however that Judge Judy's son had "ongoing and improper involvement" in the rape case implying that the Levy was trying to influence where the case goes.
Judge Judy's son filed the suit in a suburban New York county court naming the sheriff as an individual and not an employee of the county. The sheriff's lawyer Michael Sussman told reporters that it should mean that taxpayers will not be liable for it.
In March of 2013, Smith issued a press release that states, "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 the light of public scrutiny."
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