Top MPAA Lawyer, Mastermind Behind Its Plan To Attack the Internet, Arrested On Blackmail and Sexual Assault Charges (techdirt.com) 67
Steven Fabrizio, a top executive at the Motion Picture Association of America, has been fired following charges of second degree sexual abuse and blackmail. An anonymous reader shares an excerpt from a Techdirt report, written by Mike Masnick: Beyond being the MPAA's top legal attack dog for nearly a decade, the Sony Pictures email leak showed that Fabrizio was the mastermind behind Hollywood's Project Goliath to use MPAA/Hollywood Studio funds to pay for having state Attorney's General and news media owned by those studios, to attack Google to try to pressure it into some sort of "deal" with the studios. Fabrizio was also formerly the top litigator at the RIAA, and led its charge against Napster. Fabrizio was deeply involved in key copyright lawsuits, including the fights against Grokster, Hotfile, and Aereo. Basically, much of the history of "anti-piracy" litigation and "anti-piracy" efforts regarding the internet, was somehow touched by Steve Fabrizio. And, of course, the usual line that people would give in supporting these positions is that it was necessary is because "piracy is illegal" and so on.
Anyway, that's why it's a bit shocking to discover that Fabrizio has now been arrested in DC (and fired by the MPAA) for alleged sexual assault and blackmail. Variety's story on the charges is really quite incredible: "According to a police affidavit, Fabrizio is accused of threatening a woman he met on a 'sugar daddy' dating site. The police allege that Fabrizio and the woman had consensual sex once on Aug. 19, after which he paid her $400. After that, she did not want to see him again. According to the affidavit, Fabrizio sent numerous texts insisting on a second meeting, and threatening to expose her if she did not comply. 'I know where you live,' he allegedly wrote. 'I know where you work. Don't think -- Hospital would be happy to know that it's young nurses are having sexual for money / Same for your landlord.' Fabrizio allegedly used those threats to coerce her into having sex again, according to the affidavit. The police allege that he then sent additional texts threatening to tell her parents if she did not continue to have sex with him a couple times a month. The woman called the police. After arranging for another meeting, Fabrizio was arrested outside the woman's apartment on Friday morning, according to the document."
Anyway, that's why it's a bit shocking to discover that Fabrizio has now been arrested in DC (and fired by the MPAA) for alleged sexual assault and blackmail. Variety's story on the charges is really quite incredible: "According to a police affidavit, Fabrizio is accused of threatening a woman he met on a 'sugar daddy' dating site. The police allege that Fabrizio and the woman had consensual sex once on Aug. 19, after which he paid her $400. After that, she did not want to see him again. According to the affidavit, Fabrizio sent numerous texts insisting on a second meeting, and threatening to expose her if she did not comply. 'I know where you live,' he allegedly wrote. 'I know where you work. Don't think -- Hospital would be happy to know that it's young nurses are having sexual for money / Same for your landlord.' Fabrizio allegedly used those threats to coerce her into having sex again, according to the affidavit. The police allege that he then sent additional texts threatening to tell her parents if she did not continue to have sex with him a couple times a month. The woman called the police. After arranging for another meeting, Fabrizio was arrested outside the woman's apartment on Friday morning, according to the document."
Alternate headline (Score:5, Informative)
Sleazebag MPAA Lawyer Shown to be Sleazebag in Other Areas of Life
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Just my thought. Although now he will probably get proper appreciation for that.
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Re:Alternate headline (Score:5, Insightful)
amen. only shocking if you're an idiot (Score:2)
Nobody could work in that capacity (RIAA lawyer) without being wholly morally bankrupt. His job was literally to work against the best interests of humanity. Finding out that he is a shitbag in other contexts is the least surprising thing possible. It's like finding out that not only is water wet, but it will make your clothes soggy.
Shocking? (Score:3)
>Anyway, that's why it's a bit shocking to discover that Fabrizio has now been arrested in DC (and fired by the MPAA) for alleged sexual assault and blackmail.
Shocking that a professional antagonist behaves in an antagonistic way? I don't think so.
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Abusive more than antagonist. With an history of fighting for (basically) evil causes. So no, not surprising at all.
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No, it is shocking that he was actually arrested, like a common person. Doesn't the world recognize the good that he has done??
Scumbag Alert (Score:5, Insightful)
"According to the affidavit, Fabrizio sent numerous texts insisting on a second meeting, and threatening to expose her if she did not comply. 'I know where you live,' he allegedly wrote. 'I know where you work. Don't think -- Hospital would be happy to know that it's young nurses are having sexual for money / Same for your landlord.'"
Oh, so she's good enough to fuck for money, but also so 'bad' that he thinks he can shame her for holding down a regular job?
What a fucking piece of shit- I hope he gets some real prison time for his two-faced, abusive, hypocritical behavior.
Also, if a prostitute fucks you once but doesn't want to do meet you again, that says something about YOU, not her. And it says that you're probably a gross, smelly creep that women don't want anything to do with.
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Is this bad transcription or is this lawyer's English that bad?
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Pretty sure it's that bad.
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Is this bad transcription or is this lawyer's English that bad?
In his other texts he was demanding she send him bobs and vagene.
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Seems like a winner all around.
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Astonishingly stupid, as well. When your day job involves litigation against people based on inferences (often accurate) from internet traffic logs it takes a special kind of idiot (realistically, probably the horny narcissistic kind with a bruised ego) to commit blackmail via SMS. It's honestly hard to think of a worse channel to use for criminal purposes.
Parts of this make no sense. It seems that he might have fallen in love with a woman that exchanges sex for money. But didn't have the social graces to know that given the people involved, it would have been better to simply give her more money. A few thou a week, she could probably be kept on retainer.
Or else he just thought he could get free refills forever.
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Nah. Just another privileged person who is used to getting his way. Having coerced her for a second "date", he thought he was being clever by following up with more threats to keep her under his thumb.
She just had the good sense to realize that this was not going to stop, that even agreeing to the second meeting was an error, and that she had the most to lose by not shutting it down as soon as possible.
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Nah. Just another privileged person who is used to getting his way. Having coerced her for a second "date", he thought he was being clever by following up with more threats to keep her under his thumb.
She just had the good sense to realize that this was not going to stop, that even agreeing to the second meeting was an error, and that she had the most to lose by not shutting it down as soon as possible.
I'm not certain that privileged is the correct word though. I don't conflate privilege with being an utter asshole.
It's like not every white well to do male is screwing hookers, or a sexual criminal, despite today's narrative that we are.
Stupid criminal asshole is probably a better term.
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Nah. Just another privileged person who is used to getting his way. Having coerced her for a second "date", he thought he was being clever by following up with more threats to keep her under his thumb.
She just had the good sense to realize that this was not going to stop, that even agreeing to the second meeting was an error, and that she had the most to lose by not shutting it down as soon as possible.
I'm not certain that privileged is the correct word though. I don't conflate privilege with being an utter asshole.
It's like not every white well to do male is screwing hookers, or a sexual criminal, despite today's narrative that we are.
Stupid criminal asshole is probably a better term.
He was a highly paid attorney. He's not "privileged"? There are lots of assholes, but this one was the lead attorney for a large industry lobbying organization. He certainly acted like he had privileges not accorded to us regular people.
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He was a highly paid attorney. He's not "privileged"? There are lots of assholes, but this one was the lead attorney for a large industry lobbying organization. He certainly acted like he had privileges not accorded to us regular people.
I'm considered "priveliged". But that privilege doesn't make me a criminal, any more than any person's intelligence, wealth, position, gender or skin pigmentation makes them a criminal, or a victim, or a wonderful saint.
Your offhand condemnation of privilege reads to me like some other people claiming that People of dark pigmentation are all criminals or lazy, or that all men are rapists.
We need to get away from stereotypes and prejudging people based on completely unrelated characteristics. Eventually
Re:Scumbag Alert (Score:4, Insightful)
Also, if a prostitute fucks you once but doesn't want to do meet you again, that says something about YOU, not her. And it says that you're probably a gross, smelly creep that women don't want anything to do with.
That stuck me about the story as well. Since it is probably not "gross" or "smelly" with somebody in that position, my guess would be a strong sense of "creep".
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my guess would be a strong sense of "creep".
I might say "extreme" instead of "strong" given that $400 was exchanged. $400 usually buys forgiveness for a whole lot of creepiness.
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And then he screwed up the grammar ("having *sexual* for money"). I'm not actually trying to be funny - it just makes the guy even more pathetic.
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Also, if a prostitute fucks you once but doesn't want to do meet you again, that says something about YOU, not her. And it says that you're probably a gross, smelly creep that women don't want anything to do with.
I think the problem might be that he didn't want to pay her for sex the second time. Few hookers give it away.
A girl has to have her standards, you know!
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He didn't want to pay? That's piracy!
Exactly.
Scumbag outfits like MPAA hiring scumbags to do scumbag work. Who knew?
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Damn, I never have mod points when I need them.
They say karma is a bitch (Score:2)
How could this happen? (Score:4, Funny)
I am totally surprised that a steaming shit pile is crawling with parasites.
*shudder* (Score:5, Insightful)
Good christ. What kind of a skeev do you have to be when a prostitute doesn't want to see you for a second date? By the second date, they should be giving you a rewards membership, a loyalty card, and a "buy 7 and the 8th one is free" ticket to get stamped.
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I love that you (and others) have immediately labelled the woman a prostitute.
I'm sure she'd argue that she was merely seeking an older man that she could enjoy time with, and that it's only sensible that she prioritises those with wealth that will be generous towards her.
She'd be right too, it just wouldn't mean that you're wrong.
Re:*shudder* (Score:4, Informative)
She takes money for sex. Is there some new definition of prostitute that I'm not aware of?
Is that not how prostitution works.
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She takes money for sex. Is there some new definition of prostitute that I'm not aware of?
I'm pretty certain that deserves a big "whoosh".
What I am a little surprised at is that an obvious prostitution website is operating so openly.
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Oh, I don't care about that part at all. I have no problem with sex workers who offer their services voluntarily.
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She takes money for sex
That's my entire point. She may well state otherwise.
But maybe you label every woman that expects a fine dinner before letting a man sleep with her a prostitute. It's fundamentally the same thing, just a variation in liquidity.
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No, it's not the same thing at all. If there is an agreement stated beforehand, it is prostitution. The "sugarbabies" website makes it very explicit that sex will be exchanged for money/gifts/etc.
I don't know if you've ever been on a date, Cederic, but generally, when you take a woman (or man) out for dinner, there is no stated agreem
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Except for your mom, who puts it right out there that a Whopper w/cheese will get you a blowjob.
I don't have a mom. Someone must've been lying to you.
In so many ways.
The "sugarbabies" website makes it very explicit
I'll trust you on this, I haven't visited it.
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I didn't mean anything personal, Cederic. I don't really even know your mom. I know you're a good guy and I didn't mean to give offense.
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Yikes, and after the heated disagreements we've occasionally had too.
I'll be kind in response: I'm British. We have a mum.
She still wont blow you.
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Your da on the other hand...
Explains a lot (Score:1, Funny)
A little-known detail (Score:2)
He allegedly sent her numerous text messages and an mp3 file entitled I wanna come over.
The timing of the lawsuit is purely coincidental.
So, who will play him ... (Score:3)
Steven Fabrizio, a top executive at the Motion Picture Association of America, has been fired following charges of second degree sexual abuse and blackmail.
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I'm guessing Armin Shimerman. Look at Fabrizio's ears.
Aww... (Score:2)
Film at 11 (Score:2)
Abusive extortionate shitbag abuses, extorts, and acts shitty, film at 11.
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Attack the Internet?! (Score:2)
I don't think, the Internet was in any particular danger. Oh, wait, this is the High Definition Beauty, never mind...
Good for her! (Score:1)
pity about the public record and google and forever shamed, but still, good for her.
Can not get that expunged ever, eg Lewinski.
Not really surprised (Score:3)
I can't really surprised that he blackmailed her since he seems to be responsible for RIAA and MPAA using the schemes that essentially blackmail you into giving them money so that you won't be sued for pirating.
Sexual Assault Charges = take the deal and don't (Score:2)
Sexual Assault Charges = take the deal and don't risk an jury
There's "law and order"... (Score:2)
... designed and intended to serve the common good, and then there's "law and order" drafted by the victors and overlords for selfish benefit of a few.
This was and is the latter.
I'm looking at his pic (Score:2)
This voice sounds like it's saying (Score:1)
"she shouldn't have worn that short skirt walking down the city at night. She was just asking to be raped."
There is never an excuse for sex crimes, and I hope this now former lawyer gets hammered by the judge.
jailhouse blues... (Score:2)
He won't last long in the clink. That you can take to the bank.
Scrubbed from MPAA already (Score:3)
Senior Executive Vice President and Global General Counsel
Steven Fabrizio is the Senior Executive Vice President & Global General Counsel for the Motion Picture Association of America. Steve is widely regarded as one of the preeminent copyright and content protection lawyers in the country and, before joining the MPAA, had a long history of working with the MPAA and other major rights holders as lead outside counsel. In his current role, Steven oversees all legal, content protection, and rights management programs for the MPAA.
Steve joined the MPAA in 2013 from the law firm Jenner & Block, where he co-chaired Jenner’s award winning Content, Media & Entertainment practice. Among other recognitions, Steve has been honored by the Washington Business Journal as the “Best Intellectual Property Lawyer in Washington,” and by The Hollywood Reporter as one of the top 100 entertainment “Power Lawyers” in America. Before Jenner, Steve was the Senior Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs, for the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), where he was a principal architect of the industry’s litigation strategies to combat online music piracy. Steve has led or been an integral team member in some of the most significant copyright and content protection cases of the modern era, including Napster, Grokster, MP3.com, Isohunt, TorrentSpy, Usenet.com, and Hotfile.
Steve received both a Bachelor’s degree and J.D. from Georgetown University.
Scrubbed from the MPAA website but now there's a copy of their shame: http://archive.is/8ApUw [archive.is]
Surprise! (Score:1)
Sexual misconduct by someone involved in the movie industry? How odd! It's not like they rally around pedophiles and defend molestation.
What a Surprise! (Score:1)
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It was consensual and wasn't sexual assault.
The second encounter was allegedly not consensual and thus was allegedly sexual assault.
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I don't see a word about second encounter taking place.
I can see his PSA now (Score:2)
You wouldn't download a sexual, would you?
All smiles here (Score:2)
Couldn't happen to a better scumbag.
Can't say I'm surprised at all.
give the man a dictionary (Score:2)
Seriously folks, to be a successful sugardaddy all you really need is a large bucket of money, and to be a pleasant human being and a reasonable person.
No surprise here (Score:1)
All of these little brownshirts more often than not are engaged in illegal and unethical activities.
Power does corrupt, and when somebody has too much of it, they screw off all ethics and morality, and they get hungry for more power.
Rape and sexual assault is often used to dominate somebody else, and this would fit this creep to a T.