Court rules ex-porn star can't advertise tutoring business in Florida schools
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In this 2013 photo, Dave Mech displays his sign that was taken down by three Boca Raton schools after a parent of a student looked into Mech's past and found that one of his companies was affiliated with adult entertainment. (Robert Duyos/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)
A federal appeals court has ruled against a former porn star turned math tutor, saying he doesn't have a free speech right to hang a sign advertising his tutoring business at three Florida schools.
The Sun Sentinel reports Boca Raton resident David Mech paid $1,750 to advertise his "Happy/Fun Math Tutor." Palm Beach County School District officials removed the signs after learning Mech was a porn star who acted under the name Dave Pounder.
The 11th U.S. District Court of Appeals on Monday upheld a lower court's decision that the signs are considered "government speech" not free speech.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The appeals court noted that "schools exercise substantial control over the messages that they convey."
Mech sought a school board seat last year but was defeated by incumbent Karen Brill.