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

Aneros Rolls Out Media Platform for Retailers, Industry Partners

Aneros has launched its new Aneros Media Website, a digital platform to centralize the company's educational resources, product training, point-of-sale materials, and marketing assets for its retailers, distributors, and industry partners.

Lucy Mochi Stars in Latest Form Jules Jordan

Lucy Mochi stars with Lexington Steele in the latest release from Jules Jordan Video.

Liberator Debuts 3 Curated 'Kinkmas Box' Holiday Pleasure Product Bundles

Lifestyle pleasure brand Liberator has introduced Kinkmas Boxes, three curated holiday product bundles for couples.

Paradise to Introduce 3 New Additions to 'Illumination' Line at Sex Expo in January

Paradise Pleasure Products will debut three new additions to its LED-enhanced Illumination collection at Sex Expo, taking place Jan. 7-10 in L.A.

Brent Aldon, Erik Vasquez to Return as Hosts of 2027 XBIZ Awards, Pleasure and Retail Edition

Aneros Director of Sales and Marketing Brent Aldon and Sliquid VP of Marketing Erik Vasquez will once again bring their signature showmanship to the stage as co-hosts of the 2027 XBIZ Awards, on Jan. 9 at Avalon Hollywood.

Rebel Rhyder Fronts Latest From MYLF

Rebel Rhyder stars with Sage Roux in the latest installment of the MYLF series "Anal Mom."

Kimmy Kimm Stars in Latest From Pure Taboo

Kimmy Kimm stars with Mickey Mod in the latest release from Pure Taboo, titled "Won’t Breathe a Word."

b-Vibe Anal Academy Adds Clinician-Reviewed Training Guides

COTR has released a new set of clinician-reviewed educational guides through its b-Vibe Anal Academy platform.

Kyaa Chimera, Pixie Smalls Star in Latest Installment of 'Mommy's Girl'

Kyaa Chimera and Pixie Smalls star in the latest installment of the Girlsway series “Mommy’s Girl,” titled “Strap In For A Surprise.”

East Coast News Taps Paul Reutershan for Business Development Manager

Paul Reutershan has joined East Coast News (ECN) as its new business development manager, returning to the company where he began his career in 2002.

Show More