Louis Black is the co-founder of Austin’s alt-weekly, The Austin Chronicle; he also co-founded the South by Southwest Festival. In addition, he was one of two dozen people who served on the Board of Directors of L.A.’s Cinefamily. Last month he was sued by a former employee whose allegations are nearly identical to those made at Cinefamily.
Black
After an anonymous August 2017 email accused Cinefamily Board Members of abusing their power — of sexually assaulting and harassing employees and volunteers — the organization entered full damage-control mode. Board Members Hadrian Belove and Shadie Elnashai resigned. Board President Simon Ore claims he was ousted after suggesting public transparency. Few board members spoke publicly, but Louis Black told the Los Angeles Times he was “optimistic and committed” to the future of the organization. “I believe in what Cinefamily is doing,” he told the Times, “I think it’s going to be some tumultuous times, but I expect it to survive and then thrive.” Two months later, the board announced Cinefamily’s closure.
In October 2023, Black was sued by former employee Ariel Cassone. Cassone’s complaint alleges that, beginning in roughly 2016—and lasting for years—she was subjected to a “staggering number of instances of sexual assault, abuse, and coercion” from Black. (The Chronicle, which is also a defendant in the suit, broke the story; the Statesman picked it up the next day.)
The complaint states:
Ms. Cassone brings this lawsuit after enduring years of consistent harassment and abuse by Mr. Black, who used his power and influence to coerce Ms. Cassone into a state of sexual servitude under the guise of “mentorship.”
[…]
Ms. Cassone agreed to work for Mr. Black because of his significant experience and influence in the entertainment industry. He promised to use this influence to launch Ms. Cassone’s career.
Cassone alleges Black is liable for assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, forced labor, and breach of contract.
A few weeks after Cassone filed her complaint, Black replied. He denied many of the allegations, but not all of them:
“Black admits that he may have sent Cassone an email referring to “violent sex” as a joke”
“Black admits that he may have consensually tied Cassone to a chair”
“Black admits that Cassone may have occasionally sent him nude or explicit pictures and videos”
“Black admits that he may have requested a video of Cassone having sex with her boyfriend”
One former Cinefamily insider (who left the organization prior to 2017) called the lawsuit against Black “barf-worthy,” noting “I'm starting to wonder who amongst Cinefamily's board of [directors] wasn't of the mind to abuse people or cover up others' abuse.”
Cassone v. Black is only beginning. Cassone’s response to Black’s filing is due toward the end of this month.