Court Upholds Conviction for Cameron Diaz Photographer

LOS ANGELES — A California state appellate court has refused to overturn the conviction of a photographer who took topless pictures of Cameron Diaz when she was a struggling 19-year-old model and then tried to sell the images back to the actress in 2003 for $3.5 million.

John Rutter, who was convicted last year of forgery, attempted grand theft and perjury in connection with the topless photos, appealed his four-year sentence, arguing that errors made at trial led to his conviction.

A three-justice panel from the 2nd District Court of Appeal disagreed.

According to court papers, Diaz never signed a release form when she posed for Rutter in 1992, although the photographer did allow her to keep copies of the photos for her portfolio. When Rutter approached Diaz in 2003 about buying the photos, her attorneys challenged his right to sell the photos.

When Rutter presented a signed release that Diaz called a forgery, police began their investigation, which in turn led to a criminal prosecution.

Rutter later testified in court that the signed release form — later proven to be a forgery — was authentic. His testimony was used against him to secure a conviction for perjury.

Rutter claims he never intended to blackmail Diaz and that his asking price of $3.5 million was an offer for first right of refusal.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor, who sentenced Rutter in 2005, called the photographer the “shot caller” in a “scheme to defraud Ms. Diaz.”

"Mr. Rutter did take advantage of a position of confidence that Ms. Diaz had in Mr. Rutter,” Pastor said.

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

Taylor Nicole Launches New Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Creator Taylor Nicole has launched her new official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Adult Networking Platform SpicyGigs.com Launches

SpicyGigs, a new adult industry networking platform, has officially launched.

Pineapple Support to Host 'Cream Pie Challenge' Fundraiser

Pineapple Support is hosting its Cream Pie Challenge through August to raise funds for mental health services for industry performers.

Kyrgyzstan President Signs Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday signed into law legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

NC Legislature Overrides Veto of Extreme Anti-Adult Industry Bill

The North Carolina state legislature on Tuesday voted to override Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of a bill imposing regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most creators and content.

Report: VPN Downloads Soar in UK Following Age Verification Deadline

Virtual private network apps, which can be used to circumvent geo-specific age verification requirements, are topping Apple App Store downloads in the U.K. in the wake of new Online Safety Act rules, the BBC is reporting.

Strike 3 Holdings Sues Meta for Pirating Vixen Media Group Content to Train AI

Vixen Media Group owner Strike 3 Holdings filed suit in federal court this week, accusing Facebook parent company Meta of copyright infringement and alleging that Meta has extensively pirated VMG content to train its artificial intelligence models.

Pineapple Support, Streamate to Host 'Navigating Grief and Loss' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Streamate are hosting a free online support group to help performers cope with grief and loss.

Friday is Final AV Compliance Deadline in UK

Friday, July 25 marks U.K. media regulator Ofcom’s deadline for user-to-user services such as tube, cam and fan sites to implement its requisite “highly effective age assurance” measures for preventing minors from viewing adult content.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches for May, June

AEBN has released the top search terms for the months of May and June from its straight and gay theaters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Show More