LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Paul Reubens, the actor-comedian had to face a difficult time back in 2002, when he was investigated for child pornography. He turned himself in a day after his friend Jeffrey Jones was arrested on child-porn charges. Reubens faced similar charges as per reports from Los Angeles Times.
Following an investigation that authorities began in 2001, with accusations from a 17-year-old boy, police searched Reubens’ Hollywood Hills home and seized personal computers and boxes of material. A Reubens' rep called it a ‘vintage erotica’ at that time.
Was Paul Reubens accused of child pornography?
Paul Reubens was charged with a misdemeanor of possessing materials depicting children under the age of 18 engaged in sexual conduct and was later released on $20,000 bail after surrendering to LA cops. His pal Jones was charged with enticing the same minor to pose for sexually explicit photos (a felony) and possessing child pornography (a misdemeanor), as per the district attorney's office, reported Associated Press. Earlier, reports claimed that Jones shot a video of the boy engaged in sex, but district attorney's office spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons told the media outlet, "The charges do not involve any sex act being performed or any video or film being taken."
Reubens' attorney, Blair Berk, released a statement, "Mr Reubens has never at any time knowingly possessed any artwork from his extensive vintage and antique art collection even remotely related to anything improper."
In 2004, Reubens pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of possessing obscene material in Los Angeles. He was sentenced to three years of probation. However, in an agreement with prosecutors, a second charge of possessing child pornography was reported, as per Reuters.
'Last night we said farewell to Paul Reubens'
Reubens was also involved in another incident where he exposed himself at a screening of a porn movie at a theater in Sarasota, Florida. His career took a beating after this 1991 public event, where he lost a lot of work, and his children’s TV show was shut down. He was last seen opposite Johnny Depp in last year’s ‘Blow.’ The actor’s publicist told E!, “[The] claims are completely without merit. He's going to be completely vindicated at the end of the day."
The legendary actor died on Sunday, July 30, after secretly battling cancer for six years. “Last night we said farewell to Paul Reubens, an iconic American actor, comedian, writer, and producer whose beloved character Pee-wee Herman delighted generations of children and adults with his positivity, whimsy, and belief in the importance of kindness,” the statement read on his official Instagram account, as per NYP.
