Judge Judy’s son wins defamation lawsuit; sheriff apologizes
CARMEL, N.Y. — A former district attorney who’s the son of TV’s Judge Judy got a public apology Tuesday from a sheriff as part of the settlement of a defamation lawsuit.
Putnam County Sheriff Don Smith posted the apology to ex-county district attorney Adam Levy on the sheriff’s department’s website. He apologized for two March 2013 press releases that included statements saying Levy had interfered with the investigation of child rape accusations made against a friend of his. Levy had recused himself from the case; his friend later was acquitted.
“Today, I retract these releases unequivocally and apologize for the statements contained therein,” Smith said. “These statements were untrue and I should not have made them.”
The settlement of the case includes a payment to Levy of $150,000.