Man barred from charging for sex parties

• Tweet

BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 5 (UPI) -- Officials in Maryland's Montgomery County said a man would be allowed to continue holding sexual fetish parties at his home if he stops charging a cover.

Montgomery County zoning inspectors sent Paul Pickthorne of Bethesda a written warning Monday informing him that his BDSM parties, sexual events focused on "bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, sadism and masochism," violated land-use regulations because he was charging $20 for admission and $50 for "VIP" tickets, The Washington Post reported Friday.

However, County Council member Roger Berliner, who brought the events to the attention of inspectors after complaints from his neighbors, said Pickthorne would be allowed to continue the parties if he stops charging for admission.

"Certainly one has to respect everyone's constitutional rights," Berliner said.

Pickthorne said he is exploring ways of continuing his parties without violating the law, including making admission free.