Ex Porn Film Actor is DA in Cortland County, NY

Photo

Man on the right on the picture is a DA Mark Suben. The Man on the left is ex- porn film actor Mark Suben, known in the industry as ‘Gus' Thomas.

A video surfaced on YouTube Thursday claiming that Cortland County District Attorney Mark Suben was a porn star during the 1970's. The video, produced by an individual calling himself Irwin Schmeck, runs 15 minutes and shows clips from a number of pornographic films featuring an actor named Gus Thomas.
The video entitled "DistrictAttorneypornstar3" tries to make the case that Gus Thomas is an alias for Mark Suben. The producer compares images of Mark Suben with those of Gus Thomas. It also presents circumstantial evidence that places Suben in New York City as a struggling actor during the 70's, which is where the pornographic films were produced.
Suben read the following statement at the press conference and did not answer questions from the media.
"Recently materials have been circulated alleging that I was involved in the adult film industry 40 years ago in New York. Those allegations are true I was an actor in adult films for a short period in the early 70s. I was also an actor in other venues including off Broadway, soap operas and commercial advertisements. A few weeks ago, when asked, I denied this to members of the press. I regret that and apologize for it. I was shocked and embarrassed to be confronted with this so many years later. I was embarrassed for my family and friends who stood by me. I also denied my actions to my family, my friends and my staff," said Suben.
Suben continued, saying, "I do not defend my bad judgment, both my involvement so many years ago and my denial recently. I humbly apologize to all who have supported me and believed in me from the bottom of my heart. And finally I thank my family and friends for their love and support. Without them I would not be the man I have become."
District Attorney Suben was not immediately available for comment after CNY Central first contacted him about this story, but last month he adamantly denied that he was a porn star. In a conversation with CNY Central's Jim Kenyon, on camera in Cortland in late October, Suben said "there's no truth" to the claim and referred to Gus Thomas as a "look alike."
"I have heard these rumors for years... There are people who don't like me," Suben told Kenyon in October.
Suben starred in a movie called "Angels" under his own name in the 70s. The film was not pornographic and co-starred the late Vince Schiavelli, a character actor who also starred in the hit film "Ghost."
Suben told Kenyon, "I wasn't a very successful actor... I was a production student" in the 70's.
According to the website IMBD, a database listing movies and actors, the names Mark Suben and Gus Thomas are linked and classified as alternate names, along with the names Robert Bell and Irwin Schmeck. The video claiming Suben was a porn star was posted under the username of Irwin Schmeck.
The site not only lists the film "Angels" but also refers to 12 other titles of pornographic films starring Gus Thomas. Those films included "Deep Throat Part 2," "Lecher," "The Love Witch," and "Doctor's Teenage Dilemma."
When Kenyon talked with Suben in October, Suben accused his political opponents of being behind a campaign to smear his reputation. During that interview, Suben was accompanied by his wife Susan and a friend, Gary Walter. Walter demonstrated that websites like IMBD can be manipulated to spread misinformation.
Suben subsequently won reelection to a second term as Cortland County District Attorney this month.
Less than two hours after CNY Central posted this story, Stuben announced a press conference where he confirmed the allegations are true.

Comments