Putnam County District Attorney Adam Levy has recused himself from the investigation of Alexandru Hossu but the local sheriff claims Levy is still involved.
"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," Sheriff Donald Smith says.
Levy on Monday night accused the sheriff of making "unfounded allegations and misstatements".
"My office acted properly in every aspect of the investigation," he said.
The question of Levy's involvement in the case has turned into a volley of accusations between the two men, who have clashed publicly before.
Hossu, 35, was arrested last week on charges he twice raped a 12-year-old girl in 2010.
The sheriff said the victim, now 15, only recently reported being raped.
Hossu made a brief appearance in court on Tuesday and is due back on May 7.
A call to his lawyer was not immediately returned.
In his initial news release, the sheriff gave the defendant's address as Levy's home in Southeast, New York. Later, he described Hossu as Levy's "live-in personal trainer".
Levy said the sheriff had made a mistake.
The sheriff's office said on Monday Hossu did live at Levy's home but "the specific dates" have not been determined.
Levy said he recused himself as soon as he learned Hossu, "who my family had known for years", was under investigation.
But the sheriff said an assistant district attorney had already made the recusal decision for Levy, so it "was not really his original idea at all".
Smith said Levy's commenting on the case revealed "ongoing and improper involvement".
"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 and Mr Levy's relationship with him would never have been brought to the light of public scrutiny," the sheriff said.
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