Gay adult performer Owen Hawk has filed a defamation lawsuit against former business associates, accusing them of orchestrating a smear campaign that decimated his career and financial stability.

The lawsuit, filed last Friday, alleges that Damian Todaro, owner of PPVNetwork, and his partner, identified only as “Elvis,” spread false and damaging accusations about Hawk, including claims that he nearly killed a dog by exposing it to methamphetamine on set.

According to the lawsuit, the false allegations—including accusations of sex crimes, domestic abuse, and fraud—led to Owen Hawk being dropped by business partners, losing income, and suffering severe reputational damage. Once making over $500,000 annually, Owen Hawk says his earnings have now plummeted to under $1,000 a month, forcing him to liquidate retirement funds just to survive.

In an interview with The Independent, Owen Hawk described the emotional toll of seeing his two-decade career unravel.

“It’s been really painful. It’s a lot of loss to process. I haven’t been able to draw a salary in five months, I’ve fallen behind on my rent… It just seems unbelievably unfair that I should have to be in this situation, while people who I considered to be friends get to go on with all the value I created [for the company] for themselves.”

Owen Hawk, 45, is a highly decorated figure in the gay adult industry, having founded Dark Alley Media in 2005. His company has produced over 300 adult films and received numerous industry awards, culminating in his 2024 induction into the Grabby Awards’ “Wall of Fame.”

For years, Dark Alley Media partnered with PPVNetwork, with Owen Hawk providing content, industry expertise, and performer connections, while PPVNetwork handled billing, hosting, and customer service. However, the lawsuit claims that tensions boiled over in 2024, ultimately collapsing the partnership by November.

Owen Hawk’s lawsuit claims that following the business dispute, Todaro and Elvis launched an online campaign to destroy his reputation. The allegations include:

• Posts on social media falsely claimed Hawk was a sex offender, drug addict, and domestic abuser.
• False takedown notices under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), accusing his content of featuring non-consensual acts and underage performers.
• Threats to Hawk’s business partners, including claims that his work violated terms with credit card processors.
• A YouTube comment from a user claiming Hawk “tried to kill my dog with meth.”

The lawsuit states that at least one DMCA notice was submitted from an IP address linked to Todaro and Elvis’ home in Bayshore, New York.

As a direct result of these accusations, Owen Hawk says he lost his exclusive contract with Adult Entertainment Broadcast Network (AEBN), a primary source of his income.

Owen Hawk is now seeking compensatory and punitive damages, attorneys’ fees, and a court order preventing Todaro and Elvis from making further defamatory statements.

Meanwhile, Todaro and Elvis have three weeks to respond to the lawsuit formally. Their attorney, Wesley Mullen, declined to comment.

You can follow Owen Hawk on X at @owenhawkxxx.