The Cincinnati Post - 'No law broken' by nude photo shoot

An attorney for a University of Cincinnati professor who was investigated by the Hamilton County prosecutor's office for filming a nude scene in a county park says the prosecutor's decision not to file charges shows that "art is not criminal."
"We must reserve criminal law for something that is truly criminal in nature," said attorney Bruce Whitman. "A photographic study of a nude in a park done in a discreet manner is not criminal.
"I think most people agree it isn't criminal and the prosecutor agrees it isn't criminal. Law and order must be maintained, but there is always room for art. Art is not criminal."
Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters announced Thursday that no charges would be sought involving UC professor H. Michael Sanders, who led a group making a film Aug. 22 in Sharon Woods park that included a nude female model.
"After taking into consideration all relevant factors, we have determined that no law was broken," said Deters. "Our only concern was that the actress involved was a minor. That was not the case. The matter is closed."
The case was closed after Whitman and Sanders made part of the film available to the prosecutor's office for viewing.
"We showed them the parts of the tape that were of interest to them," said Whitman. "We wanted to be transparent and show that nothing illegal was being done.
"Once everybody was satisfied there were no minors on the tape, I think we were all in agreement that there really wasn't any crime."
Sanders, a professor of electronic media at UC's Raymond Walters College in Blue Ash, did not respond to requests for comment.
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