VAN NUYS, Calif. — Evil Angel has struck the latest blow against California state regulatory agency Cal/OSHA’s campaign to derail X-rated entertainment.
In an administrative hearing held Wednesday in Covina, Calif., Cal/OSHA dropped all charges against Evil Angel as related to adult movie production. The move came almost a year and a half after the agency’s inspection of Evil Angel’s office, and a year after citations were issued. Evil Angel had vigorously denied any wrongdoing against the unfounded production-related charges.
Dropped charges included such catchphrases as “bloodborne pathogens” and “other potentially infectious materials (OPIM),” as well as ample references to vaginal, anal and oral sex. All that remains is for the administrative law judge in the case to rule on minor violations.
“Yesterday OSHA made a motion to the judge to drop all of the production citations,” said Evil Angel CFO Adam Grayson. “All of what remains is ticky-tack warehouse stuff, the same you would find in any warehouse in California, big or small, adult or otherwise. An extension cord here, an unlabeled breaker switch there.”
Evil Angel owner John Stagliano led the fight. “We are in a culture war. Many people would love to have the power to control what we do with our bodies,” Stagliano said. “The porn industry by its very existence fights for freedom, for the freedom to do what you want with your body and show that to the world. This is a small victory in the war on our freedom. “
Attorney Karen Tynan, who has represented a number of other adult companies in OSHA cases, represented Evil Angel in the matter. “We never considered settlement, we always knew we were in the right, and John refused to be bullied by the State of California,” Tynan said. “I can’t praise John Stagliano enough for what he’s done for the adult industry. I’m so proud to have worked with him and Adam to defend Evil Angel and the industry.”
Grayson added, "Ever since we received the advance notice that we were going to get a citation, we knew there was nothing here. No smoke, no fire.
"As John is prone to do, he is not going to go down without anything but a full fight and that is what OSHA got. He stood up for what we know to be the truth and we feel vindicated by OSHA's motion to the judge yesterday to drop those citations."
