Obscenity-Case Judge Admonished for Posting Sexually Explicit Material

PHILADELPHIA — Judge Alex Kozinski embarrassed the federal judiciary because he didn’t lock down sexually explicit photos and videos on his own website, but the matter should end only with admonishment, according to a ruling made public Thursday.

Kozinski is the chief judge of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals who was assigned to the Ira Isaacs obscenity case in Los Angeles last year and the trial was put on hold after the judge recused himself.

Isaacs, who owns Stolen Cars Films and LA Media, faces multiple obscenity-related counts in the case. He specifically was charged with two counts of using a common carrier and interactive computer service for interstate commerce in obscene films.

The first four obscenity-related counts are in connection with videos entitled “Gang Bang Horse — ‘Pony Sex Game,’” “Mako’s First Time Scat,” “Hollywood Scat Amateurs No. 7,” and “BAE 20.” The indictment alleges that Isaacs shipped “Hollywood Scat Amateurs No. 7,” and “BAE 20” outside the state of California.

His attorney, Roger Jon Diamond, said in an appeal to the 9th Circuit that Isaacs shouldn’t be retried in the case because of the double jeopardy clause of the 5th Amendment. He also said that there was no manifest necessity for the declaration of the mistrial, which was declared without Isaacs consent.

Diamond has contended that Kozinski improperly recused himself, and if he did properly recuse himself, another judge could have replaced him.

That appeal is pending.

Kozinski said it was strictly by chance that he wound up presiding over the Issacs trial in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. Appeals court judges occasionally hear criminal cases when they have free time on their calendars and the Isaacs case was one of two he was given, he said.

Kozinski said that some of the material on his website was inappropriate, although he defended other sexually explicit content as "funny."

Kozinski said that he thought the site was private and that he was not aware the images could be seen by the public, although he also said he had shared some material on the site with friends.

The sexually explicit material on Alex.Kozinski.com was extensive. There were images of masturbation, public sex and contortionist sex. There was a slide show striptease featuring a transsexual and a folder that contained a series of photos of women's crotches as seen through snug-fitting clothing or underwear. There also were themes of defecation and urination, though they are not presented in a sexual context.

On Thursday, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia, which was asked to investigate the judge, revealed findings of the probe relative to Alex.Kozinski.com in a 41-page decision.

“We find that the judge’s possession of sexually explicit offensive material combined with his carelessness in failing to safeguard his sphere of privacy was judicially imprudent,” the 3rd Circuit ruled. “Moreover, once the judge became aware in 2007 that offensive material could be accessed by members of the public, his inattention to the need for prompt corrective action amounted to a disregard of a serious risk of public embarrassment.”

But the 3rd Circuit said that a dismissal of judicial misconduct charges against Kozinski were appropriate.

“We determine that the judge’s acknowledgment of responsibility together with other corrective action, his apology, and our admonishment, combined with the public dissemination of this opinion, properly conclude this proceeding.”

Related:  

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

2025 XBIZ Miami Speaker Lineup Announced

XBIZ is pleased to announce the release of the full speaker lineup for XBIZ Miami, the latest edition of the adult industry’s premier creator conference, set to take place May 19-22 at the Nautilus Sonesta Miami Beach hotel in South Beach.

AV Bulletin: Arizona's About-Face, What New Laws Mean for Adult

Industry stakeholders and free speech advocates have anxiously been awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, which could significantly impact state age verification laws around the United States. In the meantime, state legislatures continue to weigh and pass AV bills, the U.K. and the EU are moving ahead with their own AV mandates and strategies, and legal challenges continue to play out in U.S. courts — with some cases on hold pending the SCOTUS ruling in Paxton.

Angela White Stars in Latest From Brazzers

Multi-XMAs winner Angela White stars with Victor Ray in the latest release from Brazzers, titled “Pornstar Matchmaker: Episode 1.”

Million Billion Media Launches New Website

Management and PR agency Million Billion Media (MBM) has launched a new website.

Connie Perignon Performs 1st DVP in Latest From Ricky's Room

Connie Perignon performs her first DVP in the latest release from Ricky’s Room, titled “Connie Gets Double Stuffed.”

Evil Angel Drops Angelo Godshack's 'Hardcore Gangbangs III'

Evil Angel has released director Angelo Godshack’s “Hardcore Gangbangs III.”

'Neon Nightswim' Party Returns to XBIZ Miami

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the annual Neon Nightswim Pool Party will once again illuminate XBIZ Miami on Tuesday, May 20.

Sabien DeMonia Fronts Gangbang in Latest Directorial for Evil Angel

Director Sabien DeMonia has dropped her latest directorial effort for Evil Angel, performing in a gangbang scene titled “Metal Ass Fuck 8 on 1 Gangbang.”

Hailey Rose Fronts Latest From New Sensations

Reigning XMAs Fan Favorite Female Performer Hailey Rose stars with Dorian Del Isla in the latest release from New Sensations, titled "I Like to Watch."

FSC Addresses UK Age Verification Guidelines

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published an article offering guidance on the U.K.'s Online Safety Act and the various guidelines put forward by the country's telecommunications regulator Ofcom.The article follows:

Show More