Hugh Hefner's Sons Deny Allegations of Minor Images in Scrapbooks
The sons of the late Playboy founder Hugh Hefner have issued a formal statement denying allegations made by his widow, Crystal Harris, regarding thousands of scrapbooks containing lewd photographs of women, some potentially minors. This controversy has sparked a public dispute within the Hefner family, highlighting tensions over the legacy and preservation of the Playboy founder's personal archives.
Brothers Defend Father's Legacy
Marston Hefner, 35, and Cooper Hefner, 34, released a joint statement addressing the claims made by Harris. They asserted that after extensive personal review of the materials over more than twenty-five years, they have never encountered inappropriate images of minors within the scrapbooks. The brothers emphasized that these scrapbooks serve as historical records documenting decades of personal, professional, and family history, assembled by their father with the intention of preservation and responsible public access.
The statement read: "Over more than a quarter century of familiarity with these materials, we have never seen inappropriate images of minors, as has been suggested. The scrapbooks document decades of personal, professional and family history."
Harris Doubles Down on Calls for Investigation
Crystal Harris responded vigorously to the brothers' statement via social media, reiterating her demand for a thorough investigation into the scrapbooks. She expressed strong opposition to the suggestion that the materials should be preserved in partnership with a university or museum for public access, citing concerns over consent and privacy.
Harris stated on Instagram: "I did not consent to the public distribution or public access of these images that were taken privately, not for the magazine or for any other commercial purposes." She further claimed to have seen the pictures herself, describing them as containing "many naked and sexually explicit images of young-appearing girls," which she believes warrant official scrutiny.
Regulatory Complaints Filed
Earlier this week, Harris filed regulatory complaints in two states against the Hugh M. Hefner Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to defending civil liberties. She alleges the foundation possesses approximately 3,000 personal scrapbooks belonging to Hugh Hefner, featuring thousands of images of nude women in intimate and sexual contexts. Harris also claims she was removed as president of the foundation after raising concerns about these materials.
The Hefner brothers countered these allegations by stressing that "claims of this magnitude should be supported by evidence and precision, not implication without proof." They affirmed their support for preserving the scrapbooks with responsible public access, aligning with their father's long-standing wishes.
This unfolding dispute not only involves family dynamics but also touches on broader issues of legacy management, privacy rights, and ethical preservation of historical materials associated with controversial public figures.
