Empire Video’s Roy Karch Files for Bankruptcy

WEST HILLS, Calif. — The owner of shuttered adult DVD one-stop Empire Video Distributors filed for bankruptcy on June 23. Roy Karch abruptly closed his Chatsworth, Calif. facility in February after 12 years in business owing hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid invoices.

Empire Video’s Roy Karch is not to be confused with the long-time director of the same name.

In his Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing Karch claims debts totaling $990,907.77 against assets of $35,500. According to the filing, Karch owned 89 percent of Empire Video and had full ownership of Pacific Coast, Epic Interactive and 75 percent of Xcartel, though there is an ongoing dispute with Xcartel co-owner Javier C, who claims he shared a 50-50 ownership split with Karch.

Karch’s biggest creditors include Jules Jordan Video to which he claims $65,463 is owed; LFP Video has accounts receivable totaling $105,654; Platinum X Pictures has $50,320 in outstanding invoices; and Private is out $23,867.

Collecting Empire Video’s debts is unlikely for its creditors given that none of the companies Karch owned or had a stake in is worth anything.

Stock in Pacific Coast, which ceased operations in February, still has some accounts receivable for which collection is doubtful. It’s stock was valued at zero dollars. Epic Interactive produced five or six short movies that were sold through Xcartel and its only assets are the DVD distribution rights to about 80 titles of which the value is extremely limited. It’s stock was valued at zero, too. Despite the ownership squabble, the assets of Xcartel were valued at zero.

Karch claims some of Empire’s woes were due to an unscrupulous warehouse manager that was shipping product without invoicing it. Sales consistently dropped for the company as content delivery shifted towards the Internet, but the company is “still collecting accounts receivable and attempting to pay down corporate debt, which far exceeds the value of the collectible receivables.”

Attempts to reach Karch for comment were unsuccessful.

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

Rouge Group Taps Sean Macauley for Global Sales Manager

U.K. pleasure brand Rouge Group has appointed Sean Macauley as its new global sales manager.

Maddie V Baby Is Hustler's 'Cover Honey' for February

Maddie V Baby is the Cover Honey for the February issue of Hustler Magazine and appears in a 14-page centerfold spread shot by Ellen Stagg.

Male Power Debuts 'Gridlock'd' Collection

Male Power has introduced its new Gridlock’d collection of men's underwear.

B-Vibe, Gigi Engle Partner for 'Kink Starter Kit'

B-Vibe and author Gigi Engle have partnered for the limited-edition Kink Curious Kit.

Victoria Grant Fronts Latest From TransAngels

Victoria Grant stars with Johnny Palms in the latest release from TransAngels, titled “Balls Deep in My Football.”

Orion Debuts 'Vibepad Mini' Vibrator

Orion Wholesale has introduced its new Vibepad Mini vibrator.

SCOTUS Won't Hear Appeal in NYC Adult Businesses Zoning Case

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal by a group of adult businesses of a lower court’s decision allowing enforcement of a 2001 zoning law aimed at forcing adult retail stores out of most parts of New York City.

National Signs Distro Deal With NeuroSource for Happy Mind, XXXTabs

National Distribution has signed a deal with NeuroSource to carry the wellness brand's Happy Mind and XXXTabs product lines.

Stephanie Love Stars in Latest From Evil Angel

Stephanie Love stars with directors/performers Francesca Le and Mark Wood, aka LeWood, in “Stephanie & Francesca Anal 3-Way,” from Evil Angel.

Cherie DeVille Stars in Latest From Brazzers

Multi-XMAs winner Cherie DeVille stars with Mike Ox in the latest Brazzers scene, titled “Trespassing Her Yard.”

Show More