Judge in Obscenity Trial Admits to Posting Porn Online
By Ann Turner | 6/13/2008
A U.S. Circuit Court judge has admitted to posting porn images and fetish videos, including a ‘transsexual striptease’, on his personal web site; a revelation that has called into question his ability to make ethical judgments from the bench. Judge Alex Kozinski claims the material was meant to be private and should have no bearing on his ability to do his job. The public scandal over the judge’s porn stash forced Kozinski to halt the obscenity trial of pornographer Ira Isaacs, over which he was presiding as chief judge.
Earlier this week, the Los Angeles Times uncovered evidence of porn images and videos posted on Judge Kozinski’s personal web site. Some of the material found included a photo of nude women made up to look like dairy cows, a video of a man being chased by an aroused donkey and a transsexual striptease slideshow.
Judge Kozinski admitted to the Times that he had probably posted at least some of the porn material to his web site, but said the materials were not meant to be seen by the public. He also claims the material must have been accidentally uploaded to his server when he meant to be uploading something else. Judge Kozinski also implied that perhaps the porn postings were actually the fault of his son. “I would not keep those files intentionally,” Kozinski stated.
The web site in question is managed by Kozinski’s son Yale, who told the Times that he maintains the space, but did not comment on who specifically might have posted the racy images and videos.
In response to the public revelation of his porn postings, Judge Kozinski has asked the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judicial Council to delve into his actions and prove that his private life has no bearing on his public position. The 57-year-old judge said he would cooperate fully with any investigation.
In light of the scandal over Judge Kozinski’s online porn collection, he has suspended the trial of pornographer Ira Isaacs, who is facing charges of obscenity for distributing films featuring bestiality and other fetishes.
Lawyers are expected to review the case this weekend to determine whether Judge Kozinski should be asked to step down from overseeing the proceedings.

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