Adult Video News Hall of Fame inductee Nikki Benz has filed a lawsuit against porn production company Brazzers, its parent company MindGeek, and fellow performers Tony T. and Ramon Nomar, alleging sexual battery and other offenses stemming from a December 2016 shoot.

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court in April, claims Benz was subjected to non-consensual violence on set, including being struck, choked, and stomped on, and subsequently pressured into stating the acts were consensual to receive payment. Tony T. has denied the allegations.

Allegations of On-Set Abuse

According to the lawsuit, Benz, whose real name is Alla Montchak, was "struck on the face, head, and breasts hard enough to cause her to bleed" during a shoot in December 2016. The suit alleges that before the shoot, Benz was only aware "that the shoot would be hardcore and what she would be wearing."

The lawsuit details specific acts of alleged abuse during the scene. It states that Tony T. "grabbed Benz’s head and forced her to open her eyes with his hands," and "repeatedly Tony T slapped Benz’s face and breasts, saying, ‘Open your eyes bitch’." The suit further alleges that Tony T. "would film with one hand and choke Benz with the other hand." Additionally, the lawsuit claims that Nomar "stomped on Benz’s head." Between Tony T. and Nomar, Benz was allegedly "hit, slapped choked and thrown on the ground and against the wall." The suit also states that "water was poured on the walls and floor to cover up her blood," and that Benz was "gagged with her underwear" and had water "poured down her throat, causing Benz to choke."

Benz first spoke out about the alleged incident on Twitter in December 2016, shortly after the shoot. She claimed she was assaulted by director Tony T. and Nomar on set while filming for Brazzers. She stated that the director/performer and male co-star stomped on her head and choked her, even after she yelled "cut" during the filming of the scene. Benz described the attack as a "surprise attack" that left her "shocked and crying." She later tweeted, "I guess rape scenes are in now huh?"

Tony T. addressed the allegations a month later, denying them. He stated, "None of the stuff she ever claimed happened. There's no 'stomping' and that the one time she sai[d cut]."

Pressure for Consensual Statements

The lawsuit alleges that after the shoot, Benz was pressured into stating that the violence was consensual. During an on-screen exit interview, a practice used by some porn companies to demonstrate a shoot was safe and consensual, Benz initially refused to cooperate with Tony T. The suit claims that Tony T. then forced her to re-record the scene and state that she consented to the treatment. Benz was allegedly told that "if she d[id not]," she would not be paid.

Benz claims in the lawsuit that when she was asked during the exit interview if she would work with Tony T. again, the director made her answer "yes" or she would not be paid. The lawsuit provided to Jezebel by Benz’s lawyer alleges that she was pressured into saying it was consensual in order to receive her paycheck.

The issue of performers stating violence in a scene was consensual while on camera, but truthfully feeling traumatized and abused, is described as a common issue in an industry where performers may not be paid or re-hired if they speak negatively of their experiences.

Legal Action and Parties Involved

The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, April 9, 2018. The defendants named in the suit are Brazzers, its parent company MindGeek, and performers Tony T. and Ramon Nomar. The suit alleges battery, assault, sexual battery, gender violence, sexual harassment, and other counts.

Nikki Benz is an Adult Video News Hall of Fame inductee and a Canadian porn performer. She was considered to be the most popular performer who partnered exclusively with Brazzers, described as one of the world’s most popular subscription-only porn production companies and sites.

Key Facts

  • Porn performer Nikki Benz filed a lawsuit in April against Brazzers, MindGeek, Tony T., and Ramon Nomar.
  • The lawsuit alleges sexual battery, assault, gender violence, and sexual harassment.
  • The alleged incident occurred during a December 2016 shoot where Benz claims she was non-consensually struck, choked, and stomped on.
  • Benz alleges she was pressured into stating the acts were consensual to receive her payment.
  • Tony T. has denied the allegations made by Benz.
  • Benz is an Adult Video News Hall of Fame inductee.