On August 20, 2012, the entire porn industry was shut down by the Adult Production Health and Safety Services as all adult-film performers were treated for syphilis in an outbreak that is attributed to one man: 42-year-old porn superstar Mr. Marcus.

Jesse Spencer, better known as Mr. Marcus, pleaded no contest in Los Angeles Superior Court to exposing someone to a communicable disease, according to LA Weekly. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail, along with 36 months of probation and 15 days of community labor.

Spencer admitted that he altered medical documents from early July 2012 that showed that he tested positive for syphilis so that he could work on two adult films later that month. Spencer received a penicillin shot for the syphilis, which proves that he knew of his infection at the time of filming. The two women who appeared in the July videos with Spencer noticed that the form had been altered and turned him in to police.

Porn production was suspended for about a month, causing many studios to lose millions in revenue, while all porn performers got tested and received treatment.

Syphilis is a curable sexually transmitted disease that can cause long-term complications or death if not adequately treated. Sores or skin rashes on the mouth, vagina, or anus are usually initial indicators of syphilis. People in long-term and latent stages of syphilis exhibit difficulty coordinating muscle movements, numbness and dementia, among other things. Syphilis is usually transmitted by direct contact with syphilis sores. Treatment of syphilis in its early stages can be as simple as taking doctor-prescribed antibiotics for a period of time.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that people treated for syphilis must abstain from sexual contact with new partners until the sores are completely healed.

"The potential spread of syphilis and other communicable diseases is a serious threat to our entire community. My office will continue to hold accountable those who place the health and welfare of others in danger in such a reckless and thoughtless manner," said Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich.

In November, voters in Los Angeles County approved a ballot measure that would require porn actors to use condoms while filming. The industry is now suing to overturn the law, saying that its regulation of sexually transmitted diseases is sufficient.