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

Paradise, Adam & Eve Partner for 'Illumination' Launch

Paradise Pleasure Products is partnering with Adam & Eve to launch the new Illumination Series vibrator line.

Avery Lust, Zariah Aura & Kasey Kei Front Latest From TransAngels

Avery Lust, Zariah Aura, and Kasey Kei star in the latest release from TransAngels, titled “Cosplay Babes Unite.”

Pervz to Debut New Series 'Charmed'

Pervz has announced the launch of its new series, "Charmed."

Reborn Cinema Drops New Feature 'Reina Reborn'

Reborn Cinema has released its new, music-driven feature, "Reina Reborn," produced by Michael Vegas and Siouxsie Q, and directed by studio honcho Karim Z.

XBIZ Miami 2026 Lets the Good Times Roll at New South Beach Venue

Pack your favorite shades and sexiest poolside looks, because XBIZ Miami is splashing into a new hotspot — the chic Goodtime Hotel in the heart of Miami Beach — May 11–14.

Arcom Threatens to Block, Delist 2 Adult Sites Over AV Violation

French media regulator Arcom has sent enforcement notices to the operators of two adult websites that the agency says have failed to implement age verification as required under France’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law.

Passionate Playground Debuts Limited Edition 'Hawxboxx'

Passionate Playground has introduced its limited-edition Hawxboxx pleasure product cleaning and storage container.

Orion Debuts 3 New Styles From Cottelli Lingerie

Orion Wholesale has introduced three new styles from its Cottelli Lingerie line.

Show More