Obscenity Prosecutor Gets New Job

WASHINGTON — President Bush has named U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan — best known to the adult entertainment industry as prosecutor with a predilection for obscenity prosecutions — to head up the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women.

Buchanan, who will continue to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the 25-county Western District of Pennsylvania, was named acting director of the office that administers financial and technical assistance to communities around the nation to create programs and construct policies aimed at ending domestic violence.

The office was created in 1994 by The Violence Against Women Act, which was heavily supported by the feminist lobby.

Buchanan’s appointment to head up the office, which doles out $3.9 billion in federal funding to combat violence against women is a disappointment, according to feminist activist and blogger Elizabeth Holtzman.

“You can imagine my disappointment when I found out the Office on Violence Against Women is going to be run by yet another wacky Bush appointee,” she said. “Basically, this sucks. I can see it now, VAWA funds being diverted to conservative anti-obscenity groups under the rhetoric of protecting women. I am completely freaked out.”

Buchanan’s anti-obscenity crusade has included charges against Karen Fletcher, who uses the pen name “Red Rose,” for text content describing the kidnapping, torture, sexual molestation and murder of children nine years and younger.

In 2003, Buchanan brought charges against Robert Zicari and his wife Janet Romano, who co-own Chatsworth, Calif.-based Extreme Associates. Both film content under the names Rob Black and Lizzie Borden.

“Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fan of violent porn and the like, but Buchanan strikes me as more interested in enforcing morality than the law,” Holtzman said.

In addition to her anti-obscenity credentials, Holtzman also said she was concerned that Buchanan was no friend to civil liberties, calling the prosecutor a “cheerleader for the Patriot Act.”

Holtzman also criticized Buchanan for squandering $12 million on “Operation Pipe Dreams,” an Internet-based anti-drug campaign that netted 55 people, including actor Tommy Chong, for selling bongs online.

Buchanan became an assistant prosecutor in 1988 and specialized in white collar and child exploitation crimes before being sworn in as U.S. attorney in September 2001.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Age Verification Watch: Patching the Holes

This roundup provides an update on the latest news and developments on the age verification front as it impacts the adult industry.

Ofcom Fines OnlyFans Parent Company Over Inaccurate Age Verification Reporting

U.K. communications regulator Ofcom has fined OnlyFans parent company Fenix International Ltd. $1.36 million for inaccurate reporting of its age verification measures.

Irish Government Releases Report on Sex Work Decriminalization Legislation

The Irish government has released a report reviewing a 2017 law that decriminalized sex work across the country.

Texas Bill Would Require Age Verification for Online Sex Toy Sales

A new bill in the Texas state legislature would require online retailers to implement age verification of purchasers before selling “obscene devices” to anyone in that state.

Age Verification Watch: Michigan Joins the AV Club, Some Laws Just Make No Sense

This roundup provides an update on the latest news and developments on the age verification front as it impacts the adult industry.

Free Speech Groups Back SCOTUS Appeal of Georgia Strip Club Tax

Two civil liberties organizations filed an amicus brief Tuesday supporting a petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear an appeal in a case involving whether a tax specifically aimed at adult entertainment establishments violates the First Amendment.

Swedish Court Rules LELO Products Do Not Infringe 'Invalid' Satisfyer Patent

A Swedish district court has ruled that a patent filed by Satisfyer parent company EIS GmbH is not valid, and therefore three products from pleasure brand LELO are not in violation.

North Dakota House Committee Questions Anti-Porn 'Public Health Hazard' Claim

The North Dakota House of Representatives Education Committee on Monday amended a resolution that would have recognized pornography as a “public health hazard,” instead replacing that language with a call for further study into whether such a designation is appropriate.

Wyoming Governor Signs Age Verification Law

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon signed the state's new age verification bill into law yesterday.

Florida Bill Would Auto-Filter Porn for All Users, Not Just Minors

Florida lawmakers have introduced legislation to require manufacturers to equip tablets and smartphones with a filter that would prevent all users from accessing material deemed harmful to minors, to be automatically enabled on devices activated in that state.

Show More