AG Gonzales Declares War on Obscenity

WASHINGTON — Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has effectively declared war on the adult entertainment industry, pledging to seek out and prosecute obscenity cases.

People who distribute obscene materials do not enjoy constitutional guarantees of free speech, Gonzales told attendees Monday at a Washington meeting of the Hoover Institution, a public policy think tank based at Stanford University.

"I am committed to prosecuting these crimes aggressively," he said in his first lengthy address since becoming attorney general in early February.

Gonzales defended Justice Department attorneys who were told they went too far in trying to block the sale of adult movies over the Internet and through the mail.

The Justice Department is appealing the dismissal of the Rob Black case in Pittsburgh.

Gonzales said he is instructing Justice Department attorneys to "carefully review federal laws" and find out how they can strengthen their ability to prosecute obscenity cases.

The decision to aggressively seek out and prosecute obscenity cases comes one week after Adelphia Communications — the fifth-largest cable provider in the United States — said it would be pulling XXX content from its offerings after just a few weeks of making it available to subscribers.

When the cable provider added Playboy Enterprises’ Spice channel in early February, several pro-family groups voiced their displeasure and launched a grassroots call for the federal government to consider intervention.

The American Family Association’s email alert to supporters encouraged them to contact President Bush and Gonzales, suggesting they instruct the Justice Department to "begin obscenity prosecution" of Adelphia.

The AFA alert resulted in more than 130,000 messages to the Justice Department, according to Randy Sharp, AFA's director of special projects.

"We made the Justice Department fully aware of Adelphia's hardcore pornography," Sharp said. "Distribution of obscenity is a crime — and Adelphia recognized that too."

On Monday, Gonzales said he is also pushing to renew provisions of the Patriot Act that are set to expire at the end of the year, saying the law has been an important tool in preventing terror attacks in the United States.

The adult industry's Free Speech Coalition has been lobbying for changes in the Patriot Act with the introduction of the Safe Act, S 1709/HR 3352, which would amend some of the Patriot Act’s provisions, placing limitations on the use of surveillance and the issuance of search warrants, and for other purposes.

Gonzales said he will not support changes to the Patriot Act.

"The Patriot Act is working and I think it is safe to say it's helped prevent additional terrorist acts," Gonzales said.

Also Monday, the Justice Department announced that Christopher Wray, head of the criminal division since June 2003, was resigning.

During his tenure, Wray directed the Justice Department’s Criminal Division in cases that included child pornography and obscenity, as well as intellectual property piracy.

Wray is the first high-ranking official to leave since Gonzales took over as attorney general. No replacement has been named.

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

Texas Resumes AV Lawsuit Against Aylo Following SCOTUS Decision

A district court judge in Texas has unfrozen the state’s $1.6 million lawsuit against Aylo for allegedly failing to comply with age verification requirements, Bloomberg Law is reporting.

Nadia Jay Stars in Latest From Brazzers

Nadia Jay stars with Mick Blue in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "Fucking the Bath Voyeur."

Tommy Gunn Reflects on His Legendary Past as He Looks to the Future

Tommy Gunn is wearing an eyepatch. It’s not an homage to the classic "Pirates" porn parody franchise, in which Gunn takes on the Johnny Depp role. The eyepatch is a temporary measure to help him deal with a nerve palsy that came out of nowhere several years ago and affects his vision from time to time. Gunn needs his vision. As one of the adult industry’s longest-serving male stars, he still has plenty to look forward to.

Rocco Siffredi Directs New Rebel Rhyder Showcase

Evil Angel has released Rocco Siffredi’s Rebel Rhyder showcase title, "Rebel Meets Rebel."

JuicyAds Wins Trademark Infringement Case Against Fraudulent Domain

JuicyAds has won its World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) case against a website using a similar domain to impersonate the company's site and defraud customers.

Shalina Devine Toplines 'Thr3e #7' From Dorcel

Shalina Devine headlines the latest release from Dorcel, titled "Thr3e #7."

Chloe Amour Headlines 'Unfaithful Betrayal 3' From Bellesa Films

Chloe Amour toplines the third volume of “Unfaithful Betrayal” from Bellesa Films.

Anissa Kate, Jordan Starr Top AEBN for Q2 of 2025

AEBN has published its top-selling stars for the second quarter of 2025, with Anissa Kate landing atop the leaderboard for straight theaters and Jordan Starr heading up the gay rankings.

Misty Addams Makes Her WIFEY Debut

Misty Addams stars with husband Island Boy Brandon and 2024 XMA Europas Male Performer of the Year Christian Clay in the latest release from Vixen Media Group studio imprint WIFEY.

AEBN Reveals Eva Maxim as Top Trans Star for Q2 of 2025

AEBN has published its top trans stars list for the second quarter of 2025, with Eva Maxim landing atop the leaderboard.

Show More