Former Screw Publisher’s Plea Motion Denied

NEW YORK — Former Screw magazine publisher Al Goldstein suffered a legal setback recently when a motion to vacate his guilty plea in a harassment case was denied.

Goldstein, 68, pled guilty to three counts of aggravated harassment and one count of stalking last year while on more than a dozen medications that made him effectively incoherent, according to the motion.

The former publisher admitted earlier this year to asking Screw readers and viewers of Goldstein’s “Midnight Blue” cable show to call ex-wife Gena Goldstein after he wasn’t invited to their son’s Harvard Law School graduation.

“They’re really trying to break this guy," said Charles C. DeStefano, Goldstein’s attorney. “It’s obscene.”

Manhattan Supreme Justice Renee White’s decision comes just weeks after a destitute Goldstein, listed as homeless on his probation papers, found a job working as a sales manager at New York’s Second Avenue Deli.

“I’m only getting $10 an hour but I eat like a pig,” Goldstein told the New York Post after getting hired in late August. “I look at the counter with all the cold cuts and I walk around with a semi-erection.”

The recent legal setback is yet another in a long list of problems that have plagued Goldstein, who has been vacillating between New York homeless shelters and sleeping on a couch at the apartment of his new wife's relatives for the last three months.

Two years ago, SWAT members swarmed Goldstein’s estate after a heavily armed prostitute barricaded herself in his guesthouse and, just days later, Goldstein was taken off an American Airlines flight after he made sexual comments to a security worker. Goldstein was also sentenced to 60 days in jail for harassing a former secretary.

The now-defunct Screw magazine and Goldstein’s Milky Way Productions filed for bankruptcy in 2003 after 34 years in business, leaving roughly $1 million in debt and forcing Goldstein to sell off his 10,000-square-foot Florida mansion and the huge middle finger statue he placed on his deck for passing boaters.

Goldstein received support in his motion from magician Penn Gillette of “Penn & Teller.”

“He’s a dirty, filthy, annoying, national treasure,” Gillette wrote Justice White. “The United States of American will be a little less free and beautiful when he’s gone.”

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

'Sex Workers Are Part of the "Everyone" That Deserves Protections': Congressional Candidate Joe Cohn Reaches Out to Adult Community

Veteran civil rights attorney Joe Cohn, who is currently running in a New Jersey Democratic primary for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, says he is reaching out to the adult community to champion an inclusive approach to civil liberties that encompasses all sex workers and businesses.

Foxxy Stars in Latest From TransAngels

Foxxy stars with Josh Rivers in "Getting D in Detention," from TransAngels.

Wicked Sensual Care Launches Sexual Assault Awareness Campaign

Wicked Sensual Care (WSC) has launched its annual campaign for Sexual Assault Awareness month.

Orion Wholesale Debuts 'Eternal' Collection

Orion Wholesale has introduced the new Eternal collection of vibrators from its You2Toys line.

PASS to Hold Town Hall About Medical Updates, Database Improvements

PASS will host a virtual town hall discussion with updates from the Medical Advisory Board and regarding planned updates to its database security.

Joy Media Group Debuts ERIKALUST Distro Agreement With 'Safe Word'

ERIKALUST has signed a distribution agreement with Joy Media Group and Bizarre Entertainment.

Angela White, Violet Myers Star in Latest From Brazzers

2020 XBIZ Female Performer of the Year Angela White stars with Violet Myers and Xander Corvus in the latest release from Brazzers.

Candee Licious, Ann Joy Star in 'Shadows of the Heart' From MixedX

MixedX has released "Shadows Of The Heart," from studio banner GetVampired, starring Candee Licious and Ann Joy.

Seoul Authorities Force Cancellation of Adult Expo for 'Distorting Perceptions of Sex'

After Seoul authorities repeatedly prevented 2024 KXF The Fashion from finding a suitable venue, event organizers have canceled the popular Korean adult industry expo, which was scheduled for this week.

FSC to Hold Discussion on Adult Industry Rights With Congressional Candidate Joe Cohn

Free Speech Coalition will hold a virtual discussion with Joe Cohn, a strong advocate for the adult industry’s rights who is running for Congress in November.

Show More