Hustler Publisher, Brother Win Another Round in Ohio

CINCINNATI – Prosecutors in Ohio can’t reinstate pandering obscenity charges against Hustler publisher Larry Flynt and brother Jimmy, the Ohio First District Court of Appeals Court ruled Friday.

The Hamilton County District Attorneys office attempted to try the Flynts again after they broke a deal that led to 1999 charges against him being dismissed.

“When a case is over, it’s over. This case was over in 1999,” Judge Mark Painter wrote Friday.

The case goes back nearly five years when the Flynts were set to face trial, charged in a 15-count indictment with selling sexually obscene videos at Hustler News & Gifts.

But after jurors were seated, the Flynts agreed to a deal with prosecutors that resulted in charges against them being dismissed in exchange for a $10,000 fine against the store and with the agreement that the store would never again sell such videos in Hamilton County.

When undercover police last year bought videos in Hustler’s downtown Cincinnati shop that prosecutors considered sexually obscene, prosecutors sought to reinstate the original charges against the Flynt brothers.

Prosecutors argued they dismissed the 1999 charges “conditionally,” an argument that drew a rebuke from Painter.

“Cases cannot be in limbo, to be magically resurrected at whim,” he said. “The state cannot reinstate a dismissed indictment and perpetually save a place in a judge’s courtroom to prosecute the Flynts.”

Painter also noted that the 1999 deal fined the corporation, not the individuals.

“The corporation was found guilty and paid a fine, and the case was then over against the corporation as well,” he wrote.

Friday’s decision doesn’t preclude another legal fight with the Flynts because prosecutors could seek new indictments based on the videos the store sold last year to police.

The case is Larry Flynt and Jimmy Flynt vs. Judge Patrick T. Dinkelacker, Nos. C-030537, C-030538.

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

Adult Time Drops New Installment of 'MILF Overload'

Adult Time has released the latest installment of director Jim Powers' series "MILF Overload."

Coco Bae Fronts Latest From Reality Kings

Coco Bae stars with Jordi El Nino Polla in the latest release from Reality Kings.

Eve Sweet Stars in Latest From Blacked Raw

Vixen Angel Eve Sweet stars with Vixen Media Group (VMG) exclusive Jason Luv in the latest release from studio imprint Blacked Raw.

Brazzers Drops Season Finale of 'MILF Quest'

Brazzers has released the final episode of the first season of "MILF Quest," hosted by Cherie DeVille.

Beca Barbie Makes Her Hookup Hotshot Debut

Beca Barbie has made her debut for Hookup Hotshot alongside Nade Nasty.

2025 XBIZ Amsterdam Website Launches With Call for Speakers

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the website for its annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam, is now live.

ProDx Health Introduces 'Assured MoFi ID' Testing Program

ProDx Health has introduced its new Assured MoFi ID Program for testing.

NC Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting Adult Industry, Override Possible

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein today vetoed a bill imposing new regulations that adult industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Eye of Love Expands 'Bloom' Collection

Eye of Love has introduced two new perfume oils from its Bloom collection.

Nobü Adds to 'Essentials' Collection

Nobü is expanding its Essentials collection with three new pleasure products.

Show More