Judge Denies Motion to Sanction Performers in OnlyFans Conspiracy Case

Judge Denies Motion to Sanction Performers in OnlyFans Conspiracy Case

SAN FRANCISCO — A California federal judge on Thursday denied a request by OnlyFans parent company Fenix International Ltd. to sanction performers Alana Evans, Kelly Pierce and Ruby for spreading “frivolous allegations” as part of a civil lawsuit alleging that OnlyFans conspired to blacklist its competitors and their brand ambassadors.

U.S. District Judge William Alsup also criticized Quinn Emanuel, the high-profile law firm representing Fenix, after counsel for the performers informed the court that a QE partner from a different city “was a source behind their allegations that OnlyFans’ parent Fenix conspired with Meta,” legal news site Law 360 reported.

Evans spoke to XBIZ on Friday and said, “I am thankful and relieved that the judge denied the sanctions. This has been a long and grueling process for us as performers and victims. We are looking forward to the discovery process moving forward. Performers are still being removed every day as a result of the issues we face.”

As XBIZ reported, Adult Performance Artists Guild (APAG) board officers Evans, Pierce and Ruby originally filed the civil lawsuit in February 2022 against OnlyFans and its owner, as well as Instagram and Facebook’s parent company, Meta. The suit replicates claims from an earlier lawsuit filed on behalf of FanCentro in November 2021, alleging a conspiracy to engage in “tortious interference with contract and intentional interference with prospective business.”

Attorney David Azar of Beverly Hills firm Milberg Coleman Bryson Grossman, who is representing the group as the first three of a class involving all adult performers and content creators, is also one of the lawyers representing FanCentro in its related action against OnlyFans.

Plaintiffs: Allegations 'Presented in Good Faith'

On July 31, Alsup dismissed claims against OnlyFans parent companies Fenix International Ltd. and Fenix Internet LLC, and against owner Radvinsky, following the plaintiffs’ disavowal of allegations that specific wire transfers had been used to bribe senior Meta executives.

In June, OnlyFans and Meta filed motions seeking dismissal of the conspiracy lawsuit, alleging that the discovery process revealed no evidence of a conspiracy.

Fenix International Ltd. had also asked Alsup to sanction the performers for spreading “frivolous allegations,” a motion that was the main subject of Thursday’s hearing.

Fenix’s motion for sanctions alleged that the plaintiffs’ counsel insisted during a hearing that they could present as evidence alleged transactions involving the bank HSBC, and later referred to illicit payments or transfers.

The plaintiffs filed a response to Fenix’s sanctions motion, alleging that their allegations “were presented in good faith” based on an investigation that included information they obtained from a “referring counsel” whom they did not identify at the time, Law 360 reported.

A High-Profile Firm Allegedly 'Involved on Both Sides'

On Wednesday, however, Azar filed a declaration with the court identifying the “referring counsel” as Los Angeles-based Quinn Emanuel partner Kenneth Chiate.

According to the document, Chiate arranged for Azar “to obtain a 28-page legal memo that had been ‘refined over time by Quinn Emanuel,’” Law 360 reported.

Azar also stated that Chiate “told him he’d looked at the wire transfer documents and they appeared authentic.”

The document also noted that Quinn Emanuel — through its “referring” Los Angeles office — “could be entitled to fees if the plaintiffs won their case for its assistance,” Law 360 explained.

Azar told the court that, prior to becoming involved, he had periodically spoken with Chiate about topics such as “possible claims to pursue, defendants to name, options for jurisdiction” and “further clarification/elaboration about his analysis.” 

At the hearing Thursday, Azar confirmed his statements.

Alsup noted that this would put Quinn Emanuel “on both sides of the case,” adding that “the Miami office wants sanctions for what the L.A. office did,” Law 360 reported.

“That troubles me greatly that your firm is involved on both sides of this case,” the judge told Miami-based Quinn Emanuel partner John O’Sullivan. “Passing the case off to somebody else to sue your own client.”

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

Missouri AG Announces Age Verification Rule to Take Effect Nov. 30

Newly appointed Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced Friday that the state's recently approved age verification regulation for adult websites will go into effect on Nov. 30.

Aylo, Woodhull Freedom Foundation to Host 'Online Censorship' Event

Aylo and Woodhull Freedom Foundation will co-host a virtual panel addressing online censorship on Sept. 30.

Severe Sex Films Relaunches Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Severe Sex Films has relaunched its official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Judge Awards Plaintiffs Over $400K in Attorneys Fees in Derek Hay Civil Case

California Superior Court Judge Gail Killefer has awarded former clients of LA Direct Models over $400,000 in attorneys fees and court costs, to be paid by agency founder Derek Hay.

ChickPass Rebrands as 'ChickPass Cinematic Universe'

ChickPass has announced that it has rebranded its network of sites as ChickPass Cinematic Universe.

Brazilian Adult Industry Association ABIPEA Launches

Brazilian Association of the Adult Entertainment Industry and Professionals (ABIPEA) has officially launched its organization.

New Adult Social Media Platform 'Havven' Opens Beta Phase

Havven, a new adult social media platform, has opened its beta phase and will officially launch Oct. 5.

Former Backpage CEO Carl Ferrer Sentenced to 3 Years Probation, $40,000 Fine

Former Backpage.com CEO Carl Ferrer was sentenced in federal court today to three years' probation and a $40,000 restitution fine for a conspiracy conviction related to money laundering through the defunct website.

Pineapple Support to Launch 'Wellbeing by PS' Initiative

Pineapple Support has announced its Wellbeing by PS initiative, naming new team member Amber Madden to head the project.

Playboy Wins $81 Million Judgment in Chinese Licensing Arbitration

Playboy Inc. was awarded $81 million in damages on Monday by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, in a licensing dispute with former partner New Handong Investment (Guangdong) Co. Ltd.

Show More