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Eugene

(61,872 posts)
Mon Apr 9, 2018, 07:58 PM Apr 2018

Backpage.com founders, others indicted on prostitution-related charges

Source: Reuters

TECHNOLOGY NEWS APRIL 9, 2018 / 4:41 PM / UPDATED 2 HOURS AGO

Backpage.com founders, others indicted on prostitution-related charges

Reuters Staff
5 MIN READ

By Sarah N. Lynch

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Seven people employed by the sex ad website Backpage.com, including its founders Michael Lacey and James Larkin, were charged in a 93-count indictment unsealed on Monday that included among the accusations knowingly facilitating prostitution.

The indictment, which also includes money laundering charges, was made public after Backpage.com and its affiliated websites were seized on Friday by U.S. federal law enforcement authorities and taken off the internet.

Paul Cambria, an attorney for Lacey, called the charges “baseless” and said the seizure of his client’s website represents a “massive assault on the First Amendment,” a reference to the part of the U.S. Constitution that protects free speech.

A bail hearing is set for Wednesday, Cambria said, adding that his client intends to vigorously fight the charges.

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-justice-backpage/backpage-com-founders-others-indicted-on-prostitution-related-charges-idUSKBN1HG2ZZ
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