Former Assemblyman Paul Koretz has put himself in the running for Los Angeles’ 5th Council district race that will be fought the next two years over the seat to be vacated by Councilman Jack Weiss.
The district’s jurisdiction is in the heart of the San Fernando Valley, where much of the world’s porn is produced.
“I strongly encourage and fully expect the adult entertainment industry to require the use of condoms,’’ wrote Koretz nearly three years ago in a letter mailed to 185 adult producers and publishers.
At the time, Koretz later warned at a public meeting with members of the adult industry that if it didn’t comply with the “sensible request,” it would open doors for the “Legislature to exercise its authority to mandate more stringent actions to protect public health and worker safety.”
Koretz’s comments followed the 2004 HIV scare that prompted adult producers to stop filming for a few weeks.
After the industry’s voluntary moratorium when four adult stars contracted HIV, two Los Angeles-based production companies — Evasive Angles and TT Boy Productions — were cited and fined $30,560 each for noncompliance of adhering to Cal/OSHA bloodborne pathogens standards.
But years later, California still hasn’t enacted any legislation regulating the adult industry in any form.
Koretz, a lifelong Democrat, represented West Hollywood in the California Assembly’s 42nd District from 2000 to 2006 and served the maximum three terms allowed under term limit law.
For the city council race, Koretz claims the endorsements of state Speaker Fabian Núñez and council members Herb Wesson, Bill Rosendahl and Dennis Zine.
XBIZ could not reach Koretz by post time.
