Settlement Reached in Ninn Worx_SR Legal Battle

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The legal battle pitting director Michael Ninn against Spearmint Rhino CEO John Gray and Ninn Worx_SR apparently has been settled.

Ninn, through his publicist on Monday, wouldn't comment on terms of the compromise to XBIZ, but a proposed settlement has been in the works since early October.

The trustee assigned to Ninn, whose Chapter 7 filing continues to wend through bankruptcy court, disclosed that Ninn will transfer equity of Ninn Worx_SR in return for various creative material once created by Ninn.

Specific details of the settlement weren't immediately available, but presumably the "creative material" includes the Ninn Worx_SR-backed movie "The Four."

Ninn Worx_SR was formed three years ago after Gray approached Ninn, who has directed more than 60 adult films in 18 years, with an offer to market and distribute Ninn’s films and finance production of future films, allegedly promising to grow the company from a $2 million studio to one that would see in excess of $20 million in sales.

Ninn sold his interest in Ninn Worx for $1,000 and a 49-percent share of the new company. In addition, Ninn Worx_SR paid off Ninn Worx accounts payable of about $221,000.

But a year later and shortly after a Ninn-directed movie called "The Four" wrapped, Ninn found himself locked out of his office, fired as Ninn Worx_SR CEO and unable to get Ninn Worx_SR to compensate him.

Gray and Ninn Worx_SR later filed a suit at Los Angeles Superior Court alleging that Ninn had breached his fiduciary duty by exceeding a budget relative to “The Four” and by not delivering a completed film.

Ninn later sued and countersued, alleging fraud, misrepresentation, rescission of an agreement and breach of fiduciary duty.

Ninn also was sued by Ninn Worx_SR over the use of his stage name and related Internet properties. In that suit, Ninn Worx_SR claimed Ninn began competing against the company, advertising the “Michael Ninn” mark and variations for competing products.

Gray declined to comment on the settlement to XBIZ on Tuesday.

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 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

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp Signs Age Verification Bill Into Law

Republican Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law on Tuesday a bill that includes Georgia’s version of the age verification of adult content provisions being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches by Country for February, March

AEBN has released the popular searches from its straight and gay theaters in more than three dozen countries during February and March.

Willow Ryder, Angelina Diamanti Topline 'Lesbian Neighbor Affairs'

Willow Ryder and Angelina Diamanti headline "Lesbian Neighbor Affairs," from Girlfriends Films.

Cherie DeVille Discusses Doc Johnson Collabs in Vice TV's 'Sex Before the Internet'

2023 XBIZ Performer of the Year Cherie DeVille is featured on Vice TV’s “Sex Before the Internet,” discussing her Doc Johnson celebrity strokers in the episode “Sex Toy Empire.”

HardWerk Relaunches Through YourPaysitePartner

HardWerk.com has relaunched through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

SINematica Names Silvia Dellai 'Most Valuable Performer' for April

SINematica has crowned Czech-Italian star Silvia Dellai as Most Valuable Performer for the month of April, with a spotlight scene opposite Yannick Shaft and Erik Everhard.

Aylo Asks Judge to Trim Sweeping GDP-Related Lawsuit

Aylo asked a California federal judge during a hearing on Monday to drop trafficking claims from a sweeping lawsuit brought by a former GirlsDoPorn model.

California Republicans, Democrats Team Up to Advance Age Verification for Porn

Both Republicans and Democrats in the California Assembly’s Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee voted last week to move forward a version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Hazel Grace Debuts New Membership Site InMelanin

Hazel Grace has launched her new membership site, InMelanin.

Cosplayground Releases 'Furiosa XXX: A Porn Parody'

Cosplayground has released its seventh original production, “Furiosa XXX: A Porn Parody.”

Show More