Traci Lords | Penthouse 1984 14

Penthouse executives avoided direct criminal prosecution by proving due diligence. They demonstrated to investigators that Lords had presented a valid passport and driver's license prior to the 1984 photo shoot.

The truth about "Traci Lords" was revealed in May 1986, just days after her 18th birthday. The FBI, acting on an anonymous tip, raided her apartment and discovered the truth about her age. The revelation was staggering: the teenage star had used her fake ID not only for her Penthouse shoot but also in the dozens of pornographic films she had made between 1984 and 1986. The consequences were immediate and severe. Authorities banned all of her pornographic films (except one made days after she turned 18) and the September 1984 issue of Penthouse as contraband child pornography. It became illegal to buy, sell, or own the magazine with her pictorial still intact, leading to widespread seizures and a lucrative black market. This led to a federal grand jury indictment for producer Ronald Rene Kantor and agent Jim South for the alleged use of a minor in sexually explicit material. South used the fact that the government itself was "fooled" by the fake ID to secure the eventual dismissal of all charges. traci lords penthouse 1984 14

In the years that followed, Traci Lords struggled to come to terms with the consequences of her actions. She has spoken publicly about the trauma and shame she experienced as a result of the scandal, and has advocated for greater protection and support for young people in the entertainment industry. The FBI, acting on an anonymous tip, raided