Danni Ashe Defamation Suit Gets April Trial Date

Danni Ashe Defamation Suit Gets April Trial Date

LOS ANGELES — A federal judge has set a trial date of April 28 in Danni Ashe’s multimillion-dollar defamation lawsuit against the Daily Mail of London.

Ashe in 2013 filed suit against the Daily Mail for publishing her photo within the context of an article about an adult performer who tested positive for HIV. The performer described in the story, unknown at the time, was later identified as former adult star Cameron Bay.

The Daily Mail article included a stock image of Ashe posing on a bed in lingerie in a provocative manner, accompanied with the caption, "Moratorium: The porn industry in California was shocked on Wednesday by the announcement that a performer had tested HIV positive."

The Daily Mail later removed Ashe' s picture but did not respond to her demand to publish a retraction, prompting damage claims of $3 million.

The April 28 trial set by U.S. District Judge George Wu last week was seen as another victory for Ashe and her attorney, Steven L. Weinberg.

In July, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court's order denying the Daily Mail’s motion to drop Ashe’s suit, disposing of the media company’s repeated argument that no reasonable reader would have found the article defamatory because the online publication did not affirmatively state she was the performer with HIV.

“It doesn't sound like much but this was a huge win for [Ashe],” Weinberg told XBIZ. “Prior to [last week’s case management conference], Daily Mail proposed a discovery plan that included a complex, phased discovery schedule with stays built in to allow the court to rule on a Daily Mail summary judgment motion on the issue of 'actual malice' and then another nine months for discovery for the court to rule on ‘dispositive motions’ before trial.

"If you followed Daily Mail's plan, trial would not have been until mid to late 2018. Outrageous.”

Weinberg went on to say that he was able to thwart the Daily Mail's argument by explaining to the court how absurd its plan was in this case.

“We also addressed a Daily Mail’s intention to take discovery into [Ashe's] ‘medical and sexual history’ and called that just another Daily Mail effort to vex, annoy, harass and embarrass her,” Weinberg said.

Wu understood completely, Weinberg said. “In fact, when he called the case, he didn't even ask for any ‘status.’ He took the bench and said tersely: ‘Get ready counsel, I have your schedule’ and proceeded to lay out the trial calendar,” he recalled.

Weinberg said that the court noted that the performer that affected the industry in the article is clearly not Ashe, so her background and history are not particularly relevant, apart from whether she's ever had HIV. 

Weinberg told XBIZ that Ashe would have no objection to providing the results of an HIV test. 

“We advised that as a practical matter, that issue is put to rest with just a simple HIV test,” Weinberg said. “Judge Wu agreed and also said that if the Daily Mail goes out of bounds on discovery, he would be receptive to a motion for protective order from us.

“Whether it will unfold that way is unknown at this time,” he said.

“Bottom line is, Daily Mail's position on everything was rejected and [Ashe] obtained a very early trial date,” Weinberg said. “Judge Wu is also now keenly aware that Daily Mail's tactic in this case is to try delay — and harass Ms. Ashe — as long as possible and it appears he will not allow either.”

Bolger, who represents the Daily Mail, did not respond to XBIZ for comment on the case schedule.

Ashe founded Danni' s Hard Drive in 1995 and later became known as the "most downloaded woman on the Internet."

Ashe appeared 30 movies, 23 TV appearances and made regular appearances on her website. Her business made $6.5 million in profit in 2001 and maintained 50 full-time employees at the time.

In 2006, Penthouse purchased her companies, Danni Ashe Inc. and Video Bliss Inc., for $3 million. The acquisition included Danni.com, DannisHotBox.com and DannisHardDrive.com.

Pictured: Screen cap of Daily Mail story with Danni Ashe

Related:  

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

Mymember.site Integrates VR Functionality

Mymember.site has added virtual reality playback capability to its website management platform.

Texas Patti to Launch Fetish Platform 'EmpireDom'

Performer and content creator Texas Patti is launching a new platform for doms and fetish creators, EmpireDom.com.

Vince Karter Discusses Directing for Evil Angel

After 13 years on screen, Vince Karter has taken his talents to the other side of the camera. He recently made his studio directing debut for Evil Angel, where five scenes helmed by the two-time Euro XMAs Male Performer of the Year are already streaming on the site.

WIFEY Names Serenity Cox Brand Ambassador

Vixen Media Group (VMG) studio imprint WIFEY has named Serenity Cox as its brand ambassador.

Emma Rosie Makes Her TransAngels Debut

Emma Rosie has made her TransAngels debut alongside Zariah Aura in "Trick or Treating Ourselves."

Ohio AG Threatens Action Against 'Major' Adult Sites Over AV Law

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced today that his office is sending "notice of violation" letters to 19 adult websites for failure to comply with the state's recently enacted age verification law.

Transfixed Debuts Bree Miller Drama 'MILF Oasis'

Transfixed has released the Bree Mills-helmed drama “MILF Oasis.”

Sweet Sinner Releases 6th Volume of 'MILF Pact'

Reigning XMAs MILF Performer of the Year Penny Barber stars with Bunny Madison, Katrina Colt, and Little Puck in the sixth volume of "MILLF Pact," from Mile High Media studio imprint Sweet Sinner.

Chaturbate Announces 2025 Music Contest Winners

Chaturbate has revealed the winners of its 2025 music competition.

Hime Marie Leads Latest From Hookup Hotshot

Hime Marie returns to Hookup Hotshot for a new scene featuring Nade Nasty.

Show More