FetLife Involvement of Indianapolis Attorney in Underground Sex Club Controversy
In a recent development from Indianapolis, attorney Mark Nicholson has been linked to controversy surrounding his membership in FetLife, an online community known for its interests in BDSM, fetishism, and kink. This connection surfaced through an investigation conducted by Jacob Stewart, a 21-year-old college journalist for the Indiana Commons, a student newspaper at Indiana University Indianapolis.
Legal Actions and Allegations
The situation escalated when Nicholson filed a Petition for an Order of Protection against Stewart, alleging that the journalist had published nude photos of a student and harassed her by sending emails to IU staff. These allegations followed Stewart's formal Title IX complaint, details of which are confidential. During a court hearing, the Order of Protection was denied, indicating support for Stewart’s claim of non-involvement in any stalking or harassing behaviors.
Evidence and Denials
Documents obtained during the investigation, including screenshots from Nicholson’s profile on FetLife and text messages from undisclosed sources, implied that Nicholson may have attended several sex parties. These parties were reportedly hosted by a prostitute who was also being investigated by Stewart in connection with an IU employee. Nicholson, however, has denied any participation in these events.
The Broader Impact on Journalism
This case sheds light on the broader challenges and tensions journalists face, especially in sensitive investigations. Activists have reported that petitions for Orders of Protection are sometimes strategically used against journalists. These petitions can be filed online at no cost and are protected from countersuits, a measure intended to protect genuine victims of domestic and sexual violence from being deterred in seeking help.
