This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Porn Actress Sues BangBros Over Syphilis Exposure On Set
Lylith LaVey (Right) is suing BangBros after coming in contact with syphilis after performing in a scene with Mr. Marcus (left). (Photos via Getty Images and Wikimedia Commons)
The syphilitic saga involving porn star Mr. Marcus continues. Now, porn production company BangBros is getting sued by a performer who was unknowingly exposed to the disease during a scene with him.
The lawsuit by Heather DeAngelo, who performs under the name Lylith LaVey, alleges that BangBros should have known that Mr. Marcus had syphilis when he performed a scene with her in 2012, City News Service reports. DeAngelo's lawsuit claims that even though she did not contract syphilis from Mr. Marcus, she suffered emotional distress when she found out that she was exposed to the disease, as well as undeserved scorn from people in her life.
Mr. Marcus, who had been in the adult industry for close to 20 years and was recently inducted into the AVN Hall of Fame, had been the subject of controversy after he falsified his own positive test results and continued to perform without telling anyone he had the STD. He had already performed two scenes before producers realized that his results were faked, causing the industry to come to a temporary standstill.
As a result of this, Mr. Marcus was sentenced last summer to 30 days in jail for the cover-up, as well as 36 months of probation. DeAngelo was granted a default judgment against him in September of last year, citing fraud, negligence and battery against him.
Related:
Porn Actor Receives 30-Day Jail Sentence For Exposing Coworkers To SyphilisPorn Actor Admits He Forged His Syphilis Test
Syphilis Outbreak Brings Porn Industry to a Halt
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
