Porn company fined over $77,000 for failing to use condoms in filming

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (FOX 11 / CNS) - State regulators issued nine citations with fines totaling $77,875 Wednesday to the James Deen Productions adult-film studio for allegedly failing to protect performers through the use of condoms, in violation of the state's blood-borne pathogens standard.

Cal/OSHA officials said the fines stem from a Jan. 12 inspection at a film shoot in Woodland Hills, saying that in addition to the lack of condoms, the producers did not provide vaccines or follow-up exams to performers who may have been exposed to hepatitis B.

Representatives of James Deen Productions, also known as Third Rock Enterprises, could not be reached for immediate comment.

"Cal/OSHA requires condom use in adult films to protect workers from exposure to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections,'' agency chief Juliann Sum said. ``Third Rock Enterprises failed to protect employees from
illness and injury while on set.''

State regulators contend that when they began investigating the company in December, owner Bryan Sevilla -- known by his film name James Deen -- and his lawyers "refused to provide Cal/OSHA with requested safety documentation or permission to investigate.'' Regulators obtained a warrant that allowed the Jan. 12 inspection, according to Cal/OSHA.

Citations were issued for nine alleged violations, including four considered "serious,'' which designates a violation that could cause serious harm or death, according to Cal/OSHA.