LATATA Issues Statement on Allegations of Hep C Performer

STUDIO CITY, Calif.—Responding to allegations made by Lisa Ann last night that a male performer is currently working while having tested positive for Hepatitis C, LATATA has released the following statement.   A recent allegation regarding Hepatitis C in the adult industry has caught the attention of the Licensed Adult Talent Agency Trade Association (LATATA). Taking the public allegation made by performer Lisa Ann very seriously, LATATA is launching its own investigation by pooling the resources of its combined agencies. "We find the allegation about an active performer being positive for Hep C to be very serious, but currently we have found no evidence or information to support the claim," says LATATA member and Adult Talent Managers, LA (ATMLA) founder Shy Love. "We are not privy to any test results confirming the alleged positive results." On Sunday, August 11, Lisa Ann posted on her Twitter page about her cancelation of a scene with a veteran male porn performer after she concluded he was positive for Hepatitis. Currently, Hepatitis B or C tests are not part of the standard adult industry panel, and no studio requires a negative Hepatitis B/C test result in order to accept a performer as cleared for work. In June 2013, Talent Testing Services (TTS) voluntarily provided Hepatitis B and C tests during that month at no additional cost to performers. Cutting Edge Testing (CET) soon followed suit, providing Hepatitis B and C tests for approximately two weeks, also during the month of June. In light of these very public allegations and the concern that will result for many performers as a result, LATATA has reached out to TTS, which has kindly offered to reinstate the complimentary testing to all adult talent during the remainder of August. TTS President and CEO Sixto Pacheco states, "With the safeguards of the talent and industry in mind, we are partnering with LATATA to offer complimentary screening for Hepatitis B and C in conjunction with the basic panel tests from August 13 until August 31. This offer will be good at TTS facilities through California and Florida." TTS will also double the frequency of its laboratory tests for Hep B and C, which typically only run on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The labs will now run tests daily, along with the tests on the standard panel, so there is no delay in returning results. Each agency comprising LATATA is reviewing its talent bookings and advising precautionary Hepatitis tests at TTS in the next few days for its clients who worked with the male performer in question. As pointed out in Lisa Ann's allegations, the male performer was listed as "unavailable" according to the Free Speech Coalition's Adult Performer Health and Safety Services (APHSS) database, however APHSS clearance is not typically a guideline most studios use to book talent. Adult industry studios more commonly consult the test from governing testing facilities TTS or CET, presented to them by talent. "No matter the results of the test, and regardless of the current protocol and procedure, if the performers know they are positive from any strain of Hepatitis, they should refrain from work," states LATATA member and owner of Direct Models - Derek Hay. "In regards to Lisa Ann's assertion, I do have to wonder how she knows the male performer's Hep C test is positive," adds Love. "Is she privy to private medical information? LATATA is not, and as a result, cannot yet confirm or deny the news unless the performer comes forward and voluntarily agrees to provide this information to us to confirm or disprove her allegation." LATATA is recommending the male performer immediately test at TTS to address the allegations and remove any element of doubt.