Kremen on Sex.com: ‘Wait and See What Happens’

SAN FRANCISCO — As both mainstream and trade press scramble to cover the arrest of Stephen Cohen today, Sex.com owner Gary Kremen told XBiz he is calm, maintaining a wait-and-see attitude despite his outstanding $65 million judgment against Cohen for the theft of the famed Sex.com web address.

As Cohen sits in the Metropolitan Correctional Center in downtown San Diego, where he is being held without bail, Kremen can’t help but wonder what Cohen might do to avoid a potentially lengthy prison term.

Ratting out fellow industry players tops Kremen’s list of possibilities.

“[Cohen] knows a lot of early industry players in the adult world,” Kremen told XBiz. “Maybe he is going to do some rolling over on them with some of the stuff he knows. You know, tell the authorities which big players didn’t pay taxes and stuff like that. When you are in jail, you probably would do anything not to stay there.”

Cohen currently is ordered to remain in jail until he returns $25 million to the government, which a federal judge ruled in 2001 was illegally transferred outside the country. He could also face a host of other charges, from tax evasion to perjury, not even counting Kremen’s judgment, which has ballooned to $82 million with interest.

“There’s 10 percent statutory interest in the case,” Kremen said. “Which, you know, is good for me.”

Despite the arrest, Kremen admits there isn’t much he can do aside from waiting things out. Whether or not there will be any money left in Cohen’s pot once the government is through with him remains to be seen.

“I think I am ahead of some of [the people Cohen owes] but not everyone,” Cohen said. “I don’t know. It is going to be really interesting to see what happens. Maybe the judge will change his mind; maybe Cohen is going to do some rolling over. Who knows?

“All I can do is play it by ear and just sit tight and hang out for a little while,” he said.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Canada Exempts Online Adult Content From 'CanCon' Quotas

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has updated its broadcasting regulatory policies, exempting streaming adult content from “made in Canada” requirements that apply to other online material.

Creator Law Firm 'OnlyFirm' Launches

Entertainment attorney Alex Lonstein has officially launched OnlyFirm.com for creators.

German Court Puts Pornhub, YouPorn 'Network Ban' on Hold

The Administrative Court of Düsseldorf has temporarily blocked the State Media Authority of North Rhine-Westphalia (LfM) from forcing telecom providers to cut off access to Aylo-owned adult sites Pornhub and YouPorn.

FSC: NC Law Invalidating Model Contracts Takes Effect December 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) announced today that North Carolina's Prevent Exploitation of Women and Minors Act goes into effect on December 1.The announcement follows:

NYC Adult Businesses Seek SCOTUS Appeal in Zoning Case

Attorneys representing a group of New York City adult businesses are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear an appeal of a lower court’s decision allowing enforcement of a 2001 zoning law aimed at forcing adult retail stores out of most parts of New York City.

Teasy Agency Launches Marketing Firm

Teasy Agency has officially launched Teasy Marketing firm.

Ofcom Investigates More Sites in Wake of AV Traffic Shifts

U.K. media regulator Ofcom has launched investigations into 20 more adult sites as part of its age assurance enforcement program under the Online Safety Act.

MintStars Launches Debit Card for Creators

MintStars has launched its MintStars Creator Card, powered by Payy.

xHamster Settles Texas AV Lawsuit, Pays $120,000

Hammy Media, parent company of xHamster, has settled a lawsuit brought by the state of Texas over alleged noncompliance with the state’s age verification law, agreeing to pay a $120,000 penalty.

RevealMe Joins Pineapple Support as Partner-Level Sponsor

RevealMe has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

Show More