A Tarrytown official who was characterized as abusing children is suing a local dentist for $2 million for alleged defamation.
Building inspector Feliciano Valvano says Rishi A. Kothari depicted him on Facebook as “Pervert of the Year,” according to a March 20 complaint filed in Westchester Supreme Court.
“The false attribution of criminal sexual misconduct toward children is among the most injurious and repugnant characterizations that can be made of any person,” the complaint states, and Kothari knew that the characterization would place Valvano “in a false light before the public.”
Kothari, an orthodontist, and his wife Reshma Kumar, a pediatric dentist, have practiced at 914 Smiles on Central Avenue in Tarrytown since at least 2019. Kothari Realty LLC, the owner of the dental office building, and 914 Smiles LLC are also named as defendants.
The discord began in January, according to the complaint, when Kothari was issued a building permit for renovations on his townhouse in the Carrollwood Condominiums. Valvano inspected the plumbing and framing and judged that they did not conform to the building code. After remedial work was completed, he passed the inspections.
Kothari was supposed to meet with village officials on Feb. 23. The meeting was cancelled due to bad weather, the complaint states, and Kothari blamed the cancellation on Valvano.
On March 7, a Tarrytown resident notified Valvano about a post on 914 Smile’s Facebook page, according to the complaint. It stated “Feliciano Valvano, Tarrytown Building Inspector Banned for child perversion” and included an image of a black T-shirt bearing the words “Pervert of the Year.”
Valvano says he has never been banned, charged, investigated or associated with any criminal act of sexual misconduct, “or any other unlawful or immoral conduct involving minors, adults, or otherwise.”
He reported the matter to his supervisor, and Tarrytown police got the post removed from the 914 Smiles Facebook page. Yet, an internet search of Valvano’s name still reveals the accusations.
Valvano believes Kothari posted the accusations in retaliation for the failed inspection. He accused Kothari of defamation, libel, false light invasion of privacy, infliction of emotional distress, and interference with his work as a building inspector.
He is demanding $2 million; asking the court to make Kothari remove all versions of defamatory statements from social media platforms, websites and internet search results; and direct Kothari to refrain from making defamatory statements about him.
Attempts to find contact information for Kothari, to ask for his side of the story, were unsuccessful. The 914 Smiles website says the dental practice is not accepting new patients. A Google search of the business responds with a notice that 914 Smiles is permanently closed.
Valvano is represented by attorney Costantino Fragale, of Maker, Fragale & DiCostanzo in Rye.
