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

FSC: California's Device-Based AV Law Does Not Apply to Adult

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) put out an advisory today explaining that California's new device-based age verification law does not apply to adult websites.

Elevated X Announces New Template Solutions

Elevated X has announced the launch of its new template framework.

NextGen Payment Joins ASACP as Corporate Sponsor

NextGen Payment has signed on as the latest corporate sponsor for the Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP).

Lauren Phillips, Derek Kage Cap AEBN's Top Stars for 3rd Quarter of 2025

AEBN has revealed its most popular performers in straight and gay theaters for the third quarter of 2025.

XBIZ 2026 Conference to Debut All-New Company Lounges, Community Track

The event website for XBIZ 2026 is now live, unveiling details for North America’s largest adult industry conference, including two all-new show features: Company Lounges and a Community Track.

Mymember.site Integrates VR Functionality

Mymember.site has added virtual reality playback capability to its website management platform.

Texas Patti to Launch Fetish Platform 'EmpireDom'

Performer and content creator Texas Patti is launching a new platform for doms and fetish creators, EmpireDom.com.

Ohio AG Threatens Action Against 'Major' Adult Sites Over AV Law

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced today that his office is sending "notice of violation" letters to 19 adult websites for failure to comply with the state's recently enacted age verification law.

Chaturbate Announces 2025 Music Contest Winners

Chaturbate has revealed the winners of its 2025 music competition.

2026 XBIZ Exec Awards Pre-Noms Open With Debut of New 'Impact' Honors

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the pre-nomination period for the 2026 XBIZ Exec Awards, the adult industry’s premier career honor, begins today and runs through Oct. 14.

Show More