Judge Judy's son, Adam Levy, sues sheriff for defamation involving rape case

Judge Judy Sheindlin's son, Putnam County District Attorney Adam Levy, has filed a $5 million defamation suit against Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith, the latest development in a very public feud between two local officials.

Levy said Wednesday that he filed the suit in response to comments Smith made regarding the March arrest of Levy's personal trainer, Alexandru Hossu, who allegedly raped a 13-year-old girl in 2010.

Hossu, an illegal immigrant from Romania, became a friend and a frequent guest at the Levy household in the following years. Back in March, Smith said that Hossu lived with the Levy family as a personal trainer.

Levy said that Smith used that relationship to "orchestrate a public smear campaign" against the district attorney, "disseminating information about Levy that he knew to be false."

Smith "not only made repeated false statements accusing Levy of interfering in the investigation --which he had not and did not -- but also of using his position as district attorney to influence and affect the investigation," Levy said.

Smith called the lawsuit "blatantly political.”

"The fact that the plaintiff has engaged a high-priced public relations firm, issued a press release about the lawsuit and held a press conference, all before even serving me the court papers, makes it clear to me and any casual observer that his motives are all about smearing me and trying to adversely affect the upcoming Sheriff's election," Smith said.

Judge Judy defended her son in a statement.

“Adam Levy is a principled, honorable and dedicated public servant,” she said. “When someone attacks his character professionally or personally they best be prepared to back it up. Shut up, or pay up."