San Francisco – Richard Blumenthal, the attorney general of
the state of Connecticut, has served online classifieds site Craigslist with a
subpoena, intended to challenge the site’s contention that it has gone out of
its way to eliminate illegal ads for prostitution.
Blumenthal’s press release
cites a recent report that indicated Craigslist could draw $36 million from sex
ads, which under new rules implemented by Craigslist may only be purchased by
users with a valid telephone number and credit card.
"The craigslist
brothel business seems booming — belying its promise to fight
prostitution," Blumenthal said.
"The best evidence is thousands of
ads that remain on craigslist — skimpily and slickly disguised with code
words. We are asking craigslist for specific answers about steps to screen and
stop sex-for-money offers — and whether the company is actually profiting from
prostitution ads that it promised the states and public that it would try to
block."
In a blog post, Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster said Blumenthal was "once
again indulging in self-serving publicity at the expense of the truth and his
constituents."
"As AG Blumenthal knows full well, craigslist has gone
beyond fulfilling its legal obligations, far beyond classifieds industry norms,
has more than lived up to any promises it made, and working together with its
partners is in fact a leader in the fight against human trafficking and
exploitation," Buckmaster added.
Related Links:
http://www.ct.gov/ag/cwp/view.asp?Q=459696&A=3869
