LOS ANGELES—The California Labor Commissioner’s Office today began hearings in the case involving veteran talent agent Derek Hay filed by five adult performers who claim his agency illegally withheld their wages and charged them excessive fees as well as subjected them to harassment, coercion and other alleged illegal conduct.
The case, which was heard at the downtown Los Angeles office of the Department of Industrial Relations Division of Labor Standards Enforcement for the State of California, was presided over by Patricia Salazar, Special Hearing Officer for the Labor Commissioner, who this morning announced that she would bar the media from today's hearing. She would not comment on the case.
The performers, identified in the complaint as “Jane Does,” allege that Hay “exploited his position of power to abuse his clients both emotionally, financially and sexually.”
The case comes after four unnamed adult performers filed a formal complaint in July of last year with the state’s Department of Industrial Relations which also handles claims against talent agencies. Adult performer Charlotte Cross revealed she was one of the plaintiffs in the case, and a fifth plaintiff has since been added.
Hay, who was inducted into the AVN Hall of Fame for his work as a performer, director and businessman, is the owner and founder of LA Direct Models, one of the leading talent agencies serving the adult industry, with a roster that includes a number of award-winning performers.
Attorneys for Hay and the plaintiffs did not return telephone calls. But Hay said in a July statement, “The complaint will be vigorously defended.”
Veteran industry attorney Allan Gelbard, who is representing the women, said in July, “My clients and I look forward to presenting a compelling case, supported by sworn testimony and other evidence, to the state labor commission.”
The hearing is scheduled to resume Tuesday morning. A decision on whether media will be allowed for that hearing will be made at that time, Salazar said.
