Judge Judy Sheindlin is used to being in the media spotlight as she continues to appear on the popular television show “Judge Judy.” About two weeks ago, Sheindlin was in the media spotlight as a defendant in a lawsuit that involved china plates valued at $500,000. This time, however, it is her son that is in the spotlight of the media that involves serious allegations of tampering in an investigation into the rape of a 12-year-old girl.
Alexandru Hossu is being charged with raping a then 12-year-old girl twice in 2010. The thirty-five-year-old is Levy’s personal trainer and according to Putnam County Sheriff Donald Smith, the Romanian is currently in the country illegally as his work visa expired 12 years ago.
Levy, a district attorney in New York, is recused from the investigation regarding the allegations against Hossu. He also told the Associated Press that, “My office acted properly in every aspect of the investigation.” However, Smith contends that it was an assistant DA who made the decision for Levy to be recused from the case. Smith says that “He is apparently trying to influence and affect the investigation, which could be perceived as an ethical violation of his official duties and perhaps even as an attempt to undermine it.”
Also, Smith has asked for a federal investigation to take place that could implicate Levy as having “harbored, shielded, aided or abetted” Hossu. Levy says that although his family has known Hossu for a long time, he was unaware of the immigration status of Hossu.
In addition, Smith feels that public comments made by Levy in regards to the case are improper. “In my view, 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. ”
An attempt is being made by Levy to distract others from the true nature of the case in which he calls “the vicious rape of a little girl by a man whom [Levy] housed and hired as his personal fitness trainer.”
Meanwhile, a rep for Judge Judy issued a statement saying, “The sole focus of this story should be the investigation as to whether a young girl was the victim of a very serious crime.”
The victim, now 15-years-old, only reported being raped recently. On Tuesday, Hossu made a brief court appearance and is not due back until May 7th. A call was made to his lawyer but was not immediately returned. As for the war of words between Levy and Smith, the two argued over how to handle traffic tickets last year.
Levy made a statement recently in which he said his office was making an attempt “to improve the way law enforcement agencies like the Sheriff’s Department handled child sexual abuse allegations.”
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