A findom specialist from Florida won a legal battle against a former client making the problematic legal aspects of the booming niche more secure for performers. Her customer wanted more than $500,000 back and claimed that the dominatrix illegally obtained ownership of his house.
In a potential landmark decision, a court in Florida ended a long-running legal battle between a dominatrix called Goddess Jude and her former client Alex Abrams who sued the performer to get his money back. Another court date will be set up to decide if Abrams will have to pay for the dominatrix’ legal costs.
The client claimed that the findom dominatrix basically committed theft additionally alleging that she abused and exploited an elderly person because he was older than 60 years. The performer countered the argument by saying that both parties voluntarily entered the relationship that lasted for four years and that any money and gifts that were exchanged during that time were also done voluntarily and therefore not illegal.
The client who is by now 70 met the dominatrix after a divorce of his wife. Immediately Goddess Jude made it clear that paying her would make him her »financial slave« and that she would expect him to tribute her. And for many years Abrams was happy to comply. He authorized the findom expert to use his credit card accounts and also transferred ownership of a townhouse to the woman.
In the lawsuit, he tried to get all the money as well as the assets he transferred back claiming he changed his mind and got sick with dementia. The ruling by the court in favor of Goddess Jude ends years of uncertainty for the performer. Additionally, to the financial worries, she was also torn into the spotlight and her identity and profession were revealed to neighbors and her family. She was featured on TV and her neighbors launched a complaint about working as a dominatrix in a residential area.
In an interview with the trade magazine XBIZ, Goddess Jude said: »I saw the news on Channel 6, and so did my friends, coworkers and family who had no idea I was a dominatrix. I was mortified. After I lost my job, I was devastated. After I lost my house, I went numb. I’ve had over 100 articles written worldwide, radio interview requests and even Nancy Grace’s show on CNN. I declined, as they would have eaten me alive.«
It means a lot to her that the court finally sided with her. She says: »Alex knew perfectly well what he was doing, and I never stole a dime from him. I said that if he wants to take legal action and expose himself to his family and friends so be it. I guess that’s where my words were twisted by his counsel into, ‘I threaten to tell his family and friends.’«
Even though she finally won the suit, Goddess Jude is now much more careful in her dealings with customers. Regarding the findom aspects of her work, she feels the rewards are not worth the hassle. She says: »First, I would say that I’ll never do it again. After the news, I had a lot of guys wanting to give me their money and property. No thank you. But for those who are not experienced as I was in the beginning at being a professional dominatrix, including a financial domme, I would suggest learning to qualify your submissive, spend plenty of time with an established mentor, get to know your local community, and have a safety course and a good lawyer.«