WASHINGTON, D.C.—Barry Goldman, a Jersey City-based producer of adult DVDs, has been charged with eight counts of using the mails to send allegedly obscene DVDs to undercover postal inspectors in Virginia and Montana, according to a U.S. Department of Justice press release.
In a turn of events which should give adult content producers cause for concern about Attorney General Eric Holder's commitment to free speech, a federal grand jury this week returned the indictments against Goldman, which include at least one count of obscenity-based violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.
"The indictment seeks forfeiture of the proceeds from the sale of the DVDs, along with property used in producing the DVDs, all web sites operated by Goldman and other property," the DOJ press release said.
It is not known when the sting operations which gave rise to the grand jury proceedings were perpetrated, but it unlikely that the investigation had begun during Bush administration Attorney General Michael Mukasey's tenure at Justice—a gap of more than six months. This suggests that the FBI's "Adult Obscenity Unit," which was credited with conducting the investigation that led to the indictments, is still operating, and that the change in administration has not significantly affected its work or mission.
If convicted on all counts, Goldman would face a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison, and $2 million in fines.
