from The New York Observer

Al Goldstein Is Not Dead

By Matthew Kassel
Al Goldstein and Penn Jillette. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage for ThinkFilm)Contrary to what you may have heard, Al Goldstein, founder and former publisher of Screw magazine, did not die yesterday.

Although the website Real Porn Wiki Leaks reported that Mr. Goldstein had died, the news was retracted when Bleeding Cool wrote earlier today that the death could not be independently confirmed.

Author Larry “Ratso” Sloman, who has notably worked with Howard Stern, told Bleeding Cool that Mr. Goldstein, 77, is alive and stable; he is, however, in a hospital in the city.

Though Real Porn reported the wrong information, the website could not be blamed for making up Mr. Goldstein’s death out of thin air.

Last night, magician Penn Jillette, a friend of Goldstein’s, tweeted, “I’m in NYC. Today I visited my hero and friend Al Goldstein as he dies in the hospital, and tomorrow night I celebrate Lou Reed’s Life. NYC.”

A misinterpretation of the present tense, perhaps. Earlier today, Mr. Jillette clarified his message on Twitter: ”My buddy and hero, Al Goldstein is NOT dead,” he wrote. “He is unresponsive and not doing well, but he is alive. Try to stop the rumors. Thanks.”

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