While searching the home Monday of attorney Sandy Rubenstein during the course of an investigation that eventually cleared the lawyer of rape allegations, New York City police officers discovered something unexpected — Al Sharpton’s Viagra prescription.
Rubenstein, 70, was accused of sexual battery in October against a 42-year-old top female official in Sharpton’s National Action Network while she lay unconscious in the lawyer’s Upper East Side apartment, according to the New York Daily News:
Sharpton initially claimed lack of knowledge of the prescription in his name for the erectile dysfunction treatment.
“I don’t know anything about that, no, I don’t know anything about that,” Sharpton said, after a speechless second.
But he roared back a moment later, accusing the source who leaked the detail of trying to embarrass him with a smear campaign and saying he would demand an investigation.
“I am not saying what I do or don’t do, I’m not going to invade my privacy for some cop,” said Sharpton. “I have no knowledge of what was in (Rubenstein’s) apartment. But it’s not uncommon for men of all ages to use certain things.”
Then Sharpton directed his wrath against the police officer who told the Daily News of the discovery.
“If the motive of the cop was to embarrass me, at 60 years old, I am unembarrassable,” he said.
Sharpton’s battle with the NYPD goes back a long way, beginning with his opposition to New York City’s now-defunct stop-and-frisk program, initiated by former mayor Rudy Giuliani. His close relationship to Mayor Bill de Blasio only widened the divide, especially after the execution-style murder of two New York City officers following incendiary comments directed at the police by both Sharpton and de Blasio.
Twitter couldn’t help but take note. Here are a few examples, provided by Twitchy.
Not much more disgusting then finding out creepy Al Sharpton's Viagra pills were found in some other dude's apartment. Ewwww! WTH? January 6, 2015
“Al Sharpton’s Viagra prescription” is a string of words I was hoping to never ever have to read.
— Quinn Sutherland (@ReelQuinn) January 6, 2015
Rubenstein was obviously pleased that the district attorney had dropped the charges against him.
“I maintained from the very beginning that I did not violate the law. I am pleased that the system worked and that I have now been fully cleared,” he said in a statement.
However, the fat lady has yet to sing for the lawyer. The Daily News reported:
But Rubenstein’s legal problems aren’t over: lawyers for his accuser immediately filed a civil suit against him in Brooklyn Supreme Court.
The suit says the woman was the subject of a “violent, perverted and cruel attack by Defendant Sanford Rubenstein” while she was “unconscious and thus unable to give consent.”
He “willfully and intentionally degraded, humiliated and violated her,” the lawsuit claims.
Benjamin Brafman, Rubenstein’s defense lawyer, says Sharpton owes his client an apology.
“If it’s time to Sharpton to choose sides and he should choose Sandy Rubensteins’ side.” he said. “Sharpton owes Sandy Rubenstein an apology.”
