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

Court of International Trade Rejects Trump 'Replacement' Tariffs

The U.S. Court of International Trade on Thursday ruled that President Trump’s 10% global tariff under the Trade Act of 1974, imposed after the Supreme Court invalidated the administration’s broad “Liberation Day” tariff regime, is illegal — but stopped short of a nationwide injunction against the tariff.

Blush Announces Executive Appointments

Blush has announced three new executive appointments across its organization.

Bellesa Plus Wraps Shooting on New Reality Series

Bellesa Plus has wrapped production on the first episode of its new reality series, “The Bellesa Challenge.”

Eva Maxim, Emma Rose Lead Latest From TransAngels

Eva Maxim and multi-XMAs winner Emma Rose star in the latest release from TransAngels, titled "Stuck on Top."

Williams Trading Launches 2026 'Pride' Promo, Summer Catalog

Williams Trading has launched its 2026 Summer Pride promotion and catalog.

Andi Avalon Returns to MILFY

Andi Avalon has made her return to Vixen Media Group studio imprint MILFY alongside Derek Savage and Isiah Maxwell in the studio’s latest scene.

Maddie Wren Leads Latest From MonsterPorn

Maddie Wren stars with Jason Sarcinelli and Marcelo Magnifico in the latest scene from MonsterPorn, titled "Trouble in the Woods."

UPDATED: Utah VPN Rule Enforcement Paused in Aylo Lawsuit

Provisions of a new Utah law making adult websites liable if minors in the state circumvent geolocation efforts to bypass age verification, which were set to come into force on Wednesday, have been put on hold until Sept. 3.

Connie Perignon Returns to Bang Bros

Connie Perignon has made her return to Bang Bros alongside Johnny Love in "Connie Breaks Her Roommate's Celibate Streak."

Magic Silk Debuts 'Rush' Collection

Magic Silk has introduced its new Rush line of lingerie.

Show More