Not every famous showbiz family is picture-perfect. Long-time reality TV star Judy Scheindlin, who is most recognized for her 1996 show Judge Judy, especially has an interesting family background. The millionaire may be one of the richest judges of all time, but behind the scenes, she’s been through several lawsuits, conspiracies, and even involved herself in family drama. The 80-year-old has been through two divorces and even saved her children from huge legal scandals. Seems hard to believe that the millionaire superstar and no-nonsense judge would involve herself in so much bad press. Judy Scheindlin’s son, Adam Levy, is especially bad news, as the former legal attorney keeps ending up on the wrong side of the courtroom.Updated on December 16, 2022: Judge Judy herself is back on our screens after the wrap of Judge Judy in 2021. After 25 seasons, Scheindlin decided to star in a spinoff reality series called Judy Justice, which is now in its second season and follows the same routine in the courtroom.Adam Levy has also reentered the headlines, but for a different reason. After all of his controversy and problems with the people around him, he has officially decided to go after the top judge in New York, Chief Judge Janet DiFiore. Levy is aiming to have her disbarred, stating a public grievance with her in August of this year regarding a failure to prosecute a potential felon for personal reasons and tampered with evidence.
Adam Levy’s Sketchy Legal Case
Judge Judy's son, Adam Levy, seemed to be following his mother's footsteps by becoming the New York District Attorney for some years. However, the former D.A also picked up a few of Scheindlin’s "bad habits" when it came to attracting legal disputes.
It was reported back in 2013 that the former NY District Attorney was accused of tampering with the rape case of a 12-year-old girl. The young woman originally reported two sexual assaults committed against her by the same man, Alexandra Hossu in 2010. The accused was quickly identified as an immigrant from Romania, who had been illegally residing in the United States for over a decade after failing to renew his Visa.
Levy claimed that Hossu was a family friend and referred to him as his “live-in personal trainer.” Levy originally claimed that he had no clue of Hossu’s expired Visa and separated himself when he became a prime suspect. However, Putnam County Sheriff Donald Smith, who has outwardly expressed his dislike for the former district attorney, claimed that Levy’s separation from Hossu was clearly staged. Smith went as far as to say that Levy used his power as a district attorney to alter the end result of the case.
Smith's Statements Backfired On Him
In the end, Smith’s earlier statements were proved untrue. It was the lack of evidence that made the legal slapping Smith was about to receive sting all the more. In 2017, the rape case ended with the sheriff and former D.A reaching a settlement that required Smith to cough up $150 thousand and issue a public apology. Smith’s written apology read as follows, "...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 Believes That Smith's Allegations Cost Him The Reelection
Even though Levy won the defamation suit against Smith and got $150 thousand richer in the process, he's understandably still bitter about it, considering that, in his opinion, it cost him the 2015 reelection for district attorney. When his win in court was revealed, he expressed his suspicions about Smith’s true intentions, which were to hinder the New York D.A. political efforts.
"Don Smith’s untrue statements created a cascade and barrage of false, misleading media accounts that clearly affected the 2015 district attorney’s race," stated Levy. "We can never go back, we will never go back and change what Don Smith has done. But clearly his actions had an impact on the voters of this county. I can only hope by his acknowledgment and admissions and confession today, that they will see clear on seeking their own justice in the future."
Adam Levy Can’t Stay Out Of Trouble
A few years later, Levy was caught up in another legal case where he falsely accused and framed Westchester District Attorney George Galgano of bribing a sexually assaulted victim into not testifying against his client at the time, Lani Zaimi. Galgano's client was an avid supporter of New York’s Putnam County Sheriff Donald Smith, which was Levy’s motive behind targeting the Westchester D.A in the first place. Additionally, Galgano accused him of wiretapping and intercepting his communications with his clients. Clearly, Adam Levy has a bad knack for attracting legal scandals and lawsuits.