It was a job, a Chicago man figured, that would help pay the bills while he was building his career as a producer and video camera operator.
from the Chicago Sun Times
He agreed to film and direct two gay pornography movies for a Chicago-based company, Flava Works, on the condition, he claims, that his identity not be included in either of the films.
But when "Dorm Life 6" and "Dorm Life 7: Hot and Creamy" were released last year, they included both "visual and audible depictions" of the man, according to a lawsuit he recently filed in Cook County Circuit Court.
Top ‘black gay DVD in U.S.’
The man, who filed his suit as a John Doe, seeks monetary damages for invasion of privacy and claims that his attempts to make a career in mainstream film have been harmed.
He’s suing Flava Works, its subsidiaries, Lukebaby Productions and Cocodorm.com, as well as the owner of those companies, Phillip Bleicher.
Bleicher’s attorney, Joseph Obenberger, declined comment, while Doe’s attorney, Thomas Gorman, did not return calls.
Doe does not say how he’s featured in the movies but indicates his depictions have helped propel film sales — which a Web site boasts made "Dorm Life 6" the top "black, gay DVD in the U.S. for five weeks in a row" last year.
Accused of bilking schools
The civil suit is the latest in a string of troubles for Bleicher and his companies — problems that caused him to leave Chicago for Miami.
In April, the city’s Licensing and Health departments slapped cease-and-desist orders on their film productions.
Christopher Brown, of the city’s HIV/AIDS/STD programs, said an investigation found "really credible" evidence the companies were promoting the spread of sexual diseases in their movies.
Additionally, Bleicher was the target of a state attorney general fraud complaint, accusing him and a company he led, the Student Leadership Network, of bilking millions out of schools for personal use.
A freeze was put on its assets, and it ceased operations.
Bleicher’s film business, however, continues to operate.