A defamation lawsuit that captured the attention of people around the country has finally come to a close. Judge Judy’s son, Adam Levy, had his name cleared after the Putnam County Sheriff accused him of harboring an alleged rapist and illegal immigrant.
The Backstory
In 2013, Adam Levy operated as a District Attorney in Putnam County. During that same year, Don Smith, the Sheriff in Putnam County, was investigating Alexandru Hossu for allegedly raping a 13-year old girl. During the investigation, Smith accused Levy of harboring Hossu, an undocumented immigrant from Romania, and interfering with the investigation. Hossu was Levy’s personal trainer at the time, but that was the only connection that tied him to the alleged criminal.
The accusations weren’t muttered behind closed doors. They were made in public press releases distributed from the Putnam County Sheriff’s office in March 2013. The releases suggested that Levy, “valued loyalty to Mr. Hossu over law enforcement objects,” Smith wrote later in an apology letter.
Levy lost his re-election bid in 2015, which Levy believes was largelybecause of these accusations. He told the New York Daily News that the actions were “carefully designed” to “influence” the election.
The Verdict
After a lengthy 4-year battle, Levy won the case. More importantly, he publicly repaired his reputation after being accused of false wrongdoings.
The court ordered as compensation for the false statements Smith made. $125,000 of that settlement will be paid by Putnam County taxpayers, while the remaining $25,000 will be paid by Smith personally.
Smith also had to write a public letter of apology, setting the facts straight. In the letter, Smith stated:
“Mr. Hossu did not then reside at your home. He was arrested at another location where he then lived. I know that you did not interfere with the investigation of Mr. Hossu. Nor is there any evidence that you had any knowledge of Mr. Hossu’s immigration status or were intentionally harboring an illegal alien.”
Levy did not let the case go quietly into the night. He said:
“I believe that falsifying records and fabricating testimony is no way to run a sheriff’s department and that despite Sheriff Smiths’ sworn statements to the contrary, there should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that his actions resulted in the arrest and incarceration of an innocent man.”
Levy’s famous mother, Judge Judy Sheindlin also commented publicly on the case, stating:
“Today, Adam Levy has won his hard fought battle for his integrity, his honesty, his reputation, his honor. Most of all he won his battle for the truth.”
Protect Your Name From Defamation
Levy is far from the only one who has had his name marred by inaccurate comments and accusations. If you or your business has experienced the same, your reputation is on the line. A defamation lawsuit can help you reclaim your good name and force the truth to come out in the public spotlight.
We can help. Let’s start the conversation about what wrong accusations have been made about you or your business, and how we can help. Contact us today.