Obscenity Charges Dropped Against Stagliano

A federal judge dismissed the obscenity case against adult film producer John Stagliano on July 16 finding that the government’s case was inadequate. Staglians, whose Evil Angel production and distribution company is based in Van Nuys, was charged in 2008 with obscenity for violating community standards. The decision by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon came just three days after the start of trial in Washington, D.C. Following the conclusion of the government’s case, the defense asked that the charges be dropped because the case had not been proven. Leon agreed, saying that the evidence against Stagliano was “woefully inadequate.” The obscenity charges had been filed against Stagliano, Evil Angel, and John Stagliano Inc. Diane Duke, executive director of the Free Speech Coalition, extended congratulations to Stagliano and his employees for “their courage and their commitment to the adult industry and our personal freedoms.” “Obscenity prosecutions are unnecessary and inappropriate when everyone has an ‘off’ switch,” said Jeffrey Douglas, president of the Canoga Park-based FSC. “If you don’t like it, don’t watch it.” Mark R. Madler