Industry Attorneys Weigh In on Sessions' Exit as AG (XBIZ)

Read the full article by Rhett Pardon at XBIZ.com

WASHINGTON — Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigned Wednesday at the request of President Trump, ending a turbulent tenure that followed months of Trump expressing his displeasure with him.

Sessions was considered a big concern for the adult entertainment industry before his confirmation as AG because of his hard-line, far-right positions on everything from immigration to fiscal spending to pornography. Sessions had extensive legal experience as a federal prosecutor in his home state of Alabama and later served as senator for almost two decades.

This afternoon, XBIZ checked in with numerous adult entertainment attorneys to learn their opinions on whether the industry should heave a sigh of relief or be wary of his replacement. Here’s what they had to say:

Allan B. Gelbard

I think this is generally good for the industry but bad for the country as a whole. Sessions was clearly no fan of the porn industry. During his confirmation hearings, he told Hatch that he would rebuild the Obscenity Prosecution Taskforce. I don’t believe that happened. I’d be surprised if Trump actually goes after porn as he offers hard core pay-per-view in his hotels.

Karen Tynan

In my humble opinion, the longer the Justice Department remains in a tumultuous phase and the longer that the department appears rudderless, the better for the adult industry. There doesn’t seem to be any strong program or resources aimed at our business.

D. Gill Sperlein

So far, this administration has not directly attacked the adult entertainment industry and I expect that will continue. However, last year Whitaker wrote an op-ed for CNN calling Mueller out of control and demanding that the investigation end.

When Whitaker moves against Mueller, which he is certain to do anything that might distract the country's attention will be a potential target. The marijuana industry and the adult entertainment industry should remain on guard.