LOS ANGELES — A veteran male performer may have recently worked in porn scenes despite testing positive for hepatitis, adult film star Lisa Ann told XBIZ Sunday night.
Lisa Ann said she reached this conclusion after doing her own investigative work this past week when she actually was booked to work with the performer in question.
"This is outrageous," Lisa Ann said.
XBIZ has attempted to contact the performer in question and had not received a response at post time.
Lisa Ann said she found out on Wednesday, Aug. 7 that she was booked to work with the performer on Sunday, Aug. 11. She immediately requested the performer's test in advance of the shoot, which is part of her routine. She said she has worked with the performer before but not for about three years.
She said the performer sent her a photo copy of his test electronically and she noticed it was from LabCorp. Tests from somewhere other than Cutting Edge Testing (CET) or Talent Testing Services (TTS) are not typical, Lisa Ann said.
She said that because it was unusual that the performer presented her with a test from LabCorp, she was compelled to call both CET and TTS to ask if the performer was available to work. "I got a verbal from both sides that he is 'unavailable' to work," she said.
Then she logged into the Free Speech Coalition's Adult Performer Health and Safety Services (APHSS) database to check the performer's status, and his status was listed as "unavailable."
Lisa Ann said that LabCorp does not test for hepatitis unless it is requested, and that CET and TTS just temporarily began testing for hepatitis B and C in June. Neither provide the hepatitis test now, unless it is requested and an additional fee is paid for it.
She said she believes the performer is positive for some type of hepatitis because "it's process of elimination, and plus other people knew about it when I talked to them."
But the performer still had been planning to work with her on Sunday had she not canceled the scene herself on Thursday, according to Lisa Ann. She also claimed the week before last that the performer in question did "two gangbang scenes and an orgy."
Lisa Ann said on Friday she also called the performer's agent and FSC CEO Diane Duke to discuss the situation.
Duke told XBIZ Monday that “the performer that Lisa Ann has spoken about is listed as 'unavailable' on our APHSS database."
“This comes directly from the doctors," Duke said. "I’m not determining if anyone is available. The doctors submit whether someone is 'available' or 'unavailable.'"
Duke continued, “I don’t have proof of what Lisa Ann had suggested, so I can’t speak to knowledge that that has happened. But what I can say is performers or anybody who has been marked 'unavailable' on our database from cause should not be performing. And anybody who supports that person performing, that’s unacceptable.”
Lisa Ann said she has "had some banter" with the performer in question about his tests since she canceled their scene. She told him, "if you don't do something about this, I'm going to the county health department." According to Lisa Ann, he told her, "I don't know what to say."
Lisa Ann would not name the production company that booked her with him.
"The systems we have are working, but it's your responsibility as talent to call in and get a verbal or to log into APHSS's database," she said.
Duke echoed Lisa Ann's point.
“Producers and directors and performers have to use this system in order for it to work. Producers aren’t even paying for it. There is absolutely no reason why people should not be using this system," Duke said. “We can only hold the industry so accountable. The industry has to be responsible and hold each other accountable. We’re providing the service, we’re providing the doctors and approved testing protocols and testing facilities.”
"People trust us," Lisa Ann continued. "They don't think we will bring them an irrevelant test."
Lisa Ann said that about 50 porn performers reached out to her after she posted a series of comments about the situation Sunday night on her Twitter page.
She suggested that when a performer and the companies for which he regularly works get extremely comfortable with each other that things like this can happen.
Duke said that APHSS was in the process of adding Hep C testing to the required panel administered by APHSS-approved facilities beginning Sept. 1. This week APHSS intends to begin disseminating more information and educational resources in preparation for the change.
The new APHSS panel will also include testing for Trichomoniasis, Duke said.
Update, 11:05 a.m.
Derek Hay, owner of LA Direct Models, which represents the performer in question, told XBIZ Monday, “The adult industry does not currently require someone to demonstrate negative test results for hepatitis in order for a performer to be cleared to work. The current demand is for an HIV test by Aptima. Gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis is provided by Trep Sure and RPR tests by TTS, and only Trep Sure by CET.
“As far as the allegation that Lisa Ann has made I cannot comment other than to say I have no evidence that supports her allegation and any information that we have at the agency shows him testing cleared for work. And through all of the last three to four months when what must be the time period that Lisa Ann alleges a positive test result, we have no record or information that he has not been cleared for work. Based on her public allegation today we are doing some investigative work to review if there is any truth to her allegation, but have nothing of substance from which to investigate.
"I will first be recommending to the actor that he be transparent and truthful at all times and likely that means test at TTS as soon as possible to dispel any doubt."
Hay also noted that only “a minority” of production studios currently utilize the APHSS database.
“The majority of studios set their own testing policy which always includes the four or five tests previously mentioned showing negative results. And the period of time from date collected to the date the test expires varies between those studios. Some are 14 days, some 15 days, some 28 and some are 30.”
