Court: Larry Flynt’s Former Employee Is Bound to Arbitration

LOS ANGELES — The complaint filed by Larry Flynt’s former secretary, who claimed she was disrupted from her work when hearing the Hustler publisher having sex with prostitutes in his office, must be decided in arbitration, an appeals court ruled.

In an unpublished opinion released Thursday, the 2nd District Appeals Court reversed a lower court’s ruling that Cheryl Oldham’s lawsuit could proceed. The judge in that case found that Oldham could sue despite an arbitration agreement in her employee handbook.

Oldham began working at Larry Flynt Publications, Inc. in 1999 and signed an acknowledgement she received an employee handbook containing a binding arbitration clause. That acknowledgement “made it clear that waiver of arbitration required the consent of [Oldham] and [Flynt],” the judges wrote in the unanimous decision.

A lower court judge found that Oldham was not bound by the agreement because it was “unfairly weighted toward Flynt,” according to a wire report.

The age harassment claim stems comes from Oldham’s allegations that Flynt retaliated against her for helping another female employee in a similar claim. In a meeting where Flynt asked her to lie about hearing sex noises from his office, Flynt called Oldham “overweight, unattractive, over 50 and probably unable to find another job,” according to her lawsuit. Finally, following an arbitration hearing in the other woman’s claim, Flynt demoted Oldham to a receptionist position at his video company.

Oldham also alleged that “loud, obnoxious and repeated noises of sexual gratification that disrupted the office” made her unable to perform her job duties.

The case is Oldham vs. Flynt, B195911.

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

NC Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting Adult, Could Face Override

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein today vetoed a bill imposing new regulations that adult industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

25,000 Sign Petition to Legalize Pornography in Ukraine

An OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine has amassed the 25,000 signatures required for official consideration by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

FSC Unpacks SCOTUS Age Verification Ruling in Webinar

The Free Speech Coalition conducted a public webinar Tuesday to help adult industry stakeholders understand the Supreme Court’s recent decision in FSC v. Paxton, and its potential implications.

UK Lawmaker Calls for Appointment of 'Porn Minister'

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the Conservative member of Parliament who recently convened a new anti-pornography task force, is calling for the appointment of a “minister for porn,” according to British news outlet The Guardian.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect in South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Show More