‘Revenge Porn’ Operators Must Pay $900,000 in Damages

SAN DIEGO — Eric Chanson and Kevin Bollaert, two of the most infamous website operators in the field of “revenge porn,” must each pay $450,000 in damages to a woman whose nude photos of her taken when she was a minor were published on UGotPosted.com.

Chanson and Bollaert were found liable by a U.S. judge under federal child pornography statutes and California’s right of publicity statute in a case brought on by Abbey Talley, who decided to bring the case under her name instead proceeding as an anonymous Jane Doe.

Last week, the court clerk entered a default judgment in the case.

Marc Randazza of Randazza Legal Group, which represented Talley, called the judgement “a resounding victory for Abbey.”

“Even though she may have some difficulty collecting the judgment from Chanson and Bollaert, who are not exactly flush with cash, she has been vindicated by the legal system and can finally put this episode behind her,” he told XBIZ.

Earlier this month, Bollaert was convicted of 27 counts of criminal identity theft and extortion for running the site and could face 20 years in prison.

The California civil judgment follows another victory by Randazza last year against Chanson and Bollaert in an Ohio federal case brought by another victim, a Jane Doe. The court there entered a judgment against the two jointly for $385,000 on claims very similar to those in the Talley case.

“Hopefully these judgments will send a message to the operators of ‘revenge porn’ sites that they can’t get away with this sort of conduct,” Randazza said. “And even if these people end up being insolvent when a court orders them to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages, nobody wants to have collection actions brought against them constantly until they’re old men.”

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 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

Nebraska AV Bill Moves Forward Despite Privacy, Free Speech Concerns

Nebraska’s unicameral Legislature has given first-round approval to LB 1092, the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

AEBN Celebrates 25th Anniversary

The Adult Entertainment Broadcast Network (AEBN) is celebrating its 25th year in business this week.

Performers in Meta Blacklisting Lawsuit Seek to Preserve Antitrust Claims

Adult Performance Artists Guild board officers Alana Evans, Kelly Pierce and Ruby have informed a California court that, although they want to drop their lawsuit claiming that Meta conspired with OnlyFans to blacklist rival premium fan platforms’ talent, they may still pursue antitrust claims in the future.

FSC, Co-Plaintiffs to Ask US Supreme Court to Review Constitutionality of Texas Age Verification Law

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) and its co-plaintiffs in the challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law have petitioned the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit to stay its recent decision upholding the law, because they intend to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to review the law’s constitutionality.

FSC Vows to Fight Florida Age Verification Law

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has issued a statement vowing to continue fighting Florida’s new age verification law, which was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday as part of a comprehensive bill targeting minors’ use of social media.

Kansas Republican Aims to Create New Bureaucracy to 'Investigate' Porn Websites

Republican state legislators succeeded Monday in moving forward Kansas’ version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists, despite serious concerns raised by House Democrats about the cost of establishing a new bureaucracy tasked with investigating websites for pornographic content.

SK Intertainment Launches 'Skinfluential Management' Agency, FansFuel Joint Venture

Mr. Skin/Mr. Man parent company SK Intertainment has launched new creator agency Skinfluential Management, as well as a new joint venture with Showbizz Media's creator stats and affiliate marketing platform, FansFuel.

Industry Attorney, Free Speech Champion Clyde DeWitt Passes Away at 75

Noted industry attorney Clyde DeWitt passed away on Friday in Las Vegas at 75, according to friends and colleagues.

APClips Names Avery Jane 'Creator of the Month'

APClips has named Avery Jane its Creator of the Month for March.

JustFor.fans Offers Gumroad Users Platform to Sell NSFW Artwork

JustFor.fans (JFF) is offering Gumroad users a platform to sell NSFW artwork after the latter banned adult content.

Show More