Sunshine Films co-owner Rita Duak confirmed to XBIZ that the FBI is currently present at Sunshine’s Van Nuys, Calif., facility. According to Duak, the FBI arrived between 9 a.m.-10 a.m.
“[The inspections] are going well,” Duak said. “The FBI came in and were very friendly. I know they are just doing their jobs. Thank God everything is going OK.”
Duak did not know if the FBI was searching for specific titles. She said she was inclined to step back and let the FBI inspect any records they want to. Duak expressed confidence that her records were maintained properly and that Sunshine Films has not used underage performers.
Duak said the FBI agents have been polite and businesslike, taking a low-key approach to their records’ inspection duties.
In-house staff maintains all of Sunshine Films’ 2257 records.
The FBI began its 2257 records inspections initiative at Diabolic Video, followed by inspections of Bethlehem, Pa.-based Sebastian Sloane Productions (which was prompted by an unrelated search warrant) and Robert Hill Releasing was inspected on Aug. 1.
Sunshine Films also runs a DVD replication business and served as Seymore Butts’ first distributor.