Wife of Frankie Valli Denies Charge

Without appearing in court, the 39-year-old wife of 1960s teen idol Frankie Valli denied charges Monday that she slapped a Moorpark restaurant owner across the face during a dispute over a pricey meal last fall.

Randy Valli faces a single misdemeanor battery charge for allegedly striking the owner of the Secret Garden restaurant Oct. 7. A trial date is set for March 1.

Valli, a Calabasas resident, faces up to six months in jail if convicted. She did not appear in Ventura County Municipal Court for Monday’s arraignment but entered a not-guilty plea through Ventura attorney Louis “Chuck” Samonsky.

Standing outside the courtroom, Samonsky told reporters his client remains rattled by the incident and intends to fight the case in court.

“She’s very upset about it,” Samonsky said, declining to discuss Valli’s version of what happened.

According to some accounts, Valli struck owner Sandra Sofsky after being asked to leave the restaurant because she and her dinner companions allegedly insulted a maitre d’ and shouted foul-mouthed complaints about menu prices.

But the couple’s friend, singer and actor Frankie Avalon, recalled the incident differently.

He and his wife, Kay, who live in Thousand Oaks, were dining with the Vallis that evening. Avalon said Sofsky twice tried to push Randy Valli from her chair and at one point used Valli’s purse to strike Frankie Valli.

Frightened by Sofsky’s actions, Avalon said, the group ran from the restaurant without paying the $178 bill. Avalon said he later sent a $200 check and an apology to the restaurant.

With the case set for trial, the entire group could be called to testify.

“We haven’t decided exactly what the trial strategy may be,” Samonsky said. “We expect to call witnesses who were there that night.”

Deputy Dist. Atty. John Lonergran declined to discuss who might be called as witnesses. And he declined to comment on whether a plea negotiation could be settled before trial.

“I really couldn’t speculate as to who they may call,” Lonergran said.

“All we know at this point is they made a plea. What happens from here is anybody’s guess.”