The FDLE finds that a Pasco nudist broke no law by selling videos of European beauty pageants featuring naked children.
By JAMES THORNER
Published September 11, 2003
LAND O'LAKES - A state investigation has concluded a Land O'Lakes nudist who sold videos of naked elementary-age girls didn't break the law.
Walt Zadanoff, former president of the country's largest nudist organization, said his exoneration by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is encouraging but too late to salvage his reputation.
"I'm not surprised. I'm sorry it took this long. . . . But the damage has been done," Zadanoff said.
Gov. Jeb Bush's office ordered an investigation of Zadanoff after U.S. Rep. Mark Foley, R-West Palm Beach, lambasted the 68-year-old nudist for peddling videos on the Internet of naked child beauty pageants shot in Europe.
Law enforcement authorities recently reported back to Bush: Because they contain no sex, such videos are legal.
"As much as we look at his activities with a little bit of disdain, there are no Florida statutes Mr. Zadanoff violated," said Rick Morera, spokesman for the state investigators' Tampa office.
Foley wants the law to change. He has sponsored a bill called the "Child Modeling Exploitation Prevention Act" that would outlaw the videos Zadanoff sold.
Just because the state cleared Zadanoff doesn't mean he's not exploiting children, Foley spokesman Chris Paulitz said. Foley himself called the videos, which feature full-frontal nudity, a "fix for pedophiles."
Generally, the younger the girls, the more expensive the video. One 55-minute "junior miss" tape sold for $99.95. The sales caption read: "Judging based on beauty, personality, poise and grace. Resolution rating - GREAT."
"If it's up to Congressman Foley, people exploiting children in this manner will be going to jail soon," Paulitz said.
Zadanoff said he thinks Foley's child exploitation bill has little chance of passing.
The two-month turmoil over the tapes has left his good name in tatters, Zadanoff said. Fearing bad publicity, nudist groups, including some of the clothes-free resorts that are Land O'Lakes' biggest industry, have suggested he stay away.
Foley, who at the time was seeking his party's nomination for U.S. Senate but since dropped out, even sounded off on the popular Fox News program, The O'Reilly Factor. Host Bill O'Reilly crowed that Zadanoff should be arrested.
Zadanoff has maintained the videos are "information and entertainment for a legitimate nudist," though he said it's impossible to screen pedophiles from buying.
"It's been a absolute nightmare for us," Zadanoff said.
