Actor Sued for Libel by Drug Dealer
Convicted cocaine dealer Harry Thomas Perzigian filed a suit Thursday against actor Carroll O’Connor, who publicly blamed Perzigian for his adopted son’s suicide in March.
Perzigian, who was sentenced to a year in jail a week ago, charges that O’Connor libeled him and caused him emotional distress, according to papers filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.
The 72-year-old actor, who could not be reached for comment Thursday, blamed Perzigian for selling drugs to Hugh O’Connor, who killed himself last March 28.
Perzigian suffered humiliation, loss of reputation and mental anguish because of such statements, according to the suit.
Perzigian, 40, of Brentwood, also was fined $1,000 and ordered to do 200 hours of community service. But because of jail overcrowding, he is expected to spend about 80 days behind bars, Santa Monica Superior Court Judge Richard Neidorf said.
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