NEW YORK - Retiring Representative Gary Condit has hired an Atlanta lawyer and sued an author he claims slandered him in interviews about the Chandra Levy case. <br>
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The federal lawsuit claims Dominick Dunne ``made false and defamatory statements'' accusing Condit of involvement in kidnapping and murder. <br>
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The suit cites radio, television and newspaper interviews in which Dunne linked Condit to the disappearance of Levy in May 2001. <br>
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Condit's attorney is L. Lin Wood of Atlanta. Wood also represents John and Patsy Ramsey and also represented former Olympic security guard Richard Jewell. <br>
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The California Democrat reportedly told investigators he was having an affair with Levy, a former intern at the Bureau of Prisons whose remains eventually were found in Rock Creek Park in Washington. <br>
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But he denied any involvement in her disappearance, and police never named him as a suspect. <br>
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Wood says Dunne ``transformed an allegation of sexual misconduct into criminal accusations.'' <br>
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Condit's re-election bid failed earlier this year. Wood says Condit plans to file similar suits against other defendants. <br>
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Dunne is a frequent commentator about the legal troubles of the rich and famous. He writes a column for Vanity Fair magazine and hosts his own series on Court TV. <br>
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Condit is seeking at least one million dollars in compensatory and ten million dollars in punitive damages.
