Porn Stars Versus Porn Agent
Charlotte Cross and three other porn stars have filed a complaint with the California Department of Industrial Relations against porn talent agency L.A. Direct Models and its owner Derek Hay (also known as former porn star Ben English), alleging that Hay and his agency violated some of the laws that govern talent agents in the state.
Cross and Jane Does are seeking to have the agency's license revoked, to recover financial damages and to receive declaratory relief. They want to be let out of their representation contracts and to recover fees that they allege Hay withheld from them, or that they were forced to pay the agency but shouldn't have had to.
Cross told AVN in a statement: “Adult performers deserve the same respect as any other worker in the state of California. When a predatory agency takes advantage of adult performers, they need to be held accountable. I’m saddened it has taken this case over 15 years to reach the Labor Board but I’m incredibly proud of the performers that have decided to speak up, knowing the retaliation they will face. I hope that this will set a precedent for the future and show our industry that with enough tenacity, you can change things for the better. This is our #MeToo movement.”
The image of Cross above appears courtesy of Tricky Spa.