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 © 2026 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

Orion Debuts 4 New Styles From 'Noir Handmade' Line

Orion Wholesale has introduced four new burgundy-colored styles from its Noir Handmade collection.

Dame Launches Crowdfunding Campaign for 'Hup' Vibrating Pillow

Dame has launched a crowdfunding campaign for Hup, its rideable, vibrating pillow, on Kickstarter.

Ariel Demure, Maisey Monroe Star in 4th Installment of 'Ripped for Their Pleasure' From Gender X

Reigning and two-time XMAs Trans Performer of the Year Ariel Demure stars with Maisey Monroe in the fourth installment of "Ripped for Their Pleasure," the latest title from Gender X Films.

Delilah Raige Makes Her Brazzers Debut

Delilah Raige has made her debut for Brazzers alongside Ricky Johnson in "Raige Hits The Stage."

Ofcom Escalates Sun Social, Superb Convert Investigations

U.K. media regulator Ofcom has ramped up its ongoing Online Safety Act (OSA) compliance investigations into PlayVids/PeekVids operator Sun Social Media and PimpBunny operator Superb Convert.

Bellesa to Drop New Installments of 'Euro House'

Bellesa will release new episodes of its series "Euro House" after a three-year hiatus.

Male Power Debuts 'Peacocking' Collection

Male Power has introduced its new Peacocking collection of men's underwear.

A Look at the Trends Shaping Male Pleasure and Wellness

The male pleasure category was once defined by familiar products: non-powered sleeves and strokers, manual penis pumps, rings and a relatively small selection of prostate toys. Today, manufacturers draw inspiration from consumer electronics, sexual wellness, gaming, streaming content and app-driven interaction, while still relying on one of the category's oldest staples: the basic stroker.

Judge Preliminarily Approves Pornhub Class Action Settlement

A U.S. District Court judge on Monday granted preliminary approval to a settlement between Aylo and the plaintiffs in two class-action lawsuits over allegations that former Pornhub parent company MindGeek knowingly allowed and profited from CSAM on its sites.

Anissa Kate, Koda Monroe Front Latest From Brazzers

Anissa Kate and Koda Monroe star with Jimmy Bud in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "Messy Massage, Amazing Anal."

Show More