Craigslist strikes back at attorney general, seeks restraining order

May 20, 2009 | Paul Boutin | Comments | |

South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster hit Craiglist with an ultimatum earlier this month: “Remove the portions of the Internet site dedicated to South Carolina and its municipal regions which contain categories for and functions allowing for the solicitation of prostitution and the dissemination and posting of graphic pornographic material” within ten (10) days.”

“If those South Carolina portions of the site are not removed,” McMaster said, “the management of craigslist may be subject to criminal investigation and prosecution.”

Now, Craigslist has filed a suit against McMaster in a South Carolina Federal court. The online classified ads directory seeks declaratory relief and “a restraining order with respect to criminal charges he has repeatedly threatened against craigslist and its executives,” according to a post on Craigslist’s company blog. The rest of the post gives their side of the argument.

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About the Author, Paul Boutin

Paul (paul@venturebeat.com) covers Apple & the iPhone, social networks & social media, digital music & video, and any crazy Internet story. Paul wrote and edited for Valleywag from 2006-2008, after several years with Wired magazine and Slate. He writes regularly for The New York Times' technology section and sometimes for Wired and The Wall Street Journal. He studied computer science at MIT in the early 1980s, and worked as a software developer and network administrator for 15 years before becoming a professional writer. Follow him on Twitter at @paulboutin, and follow VentureBeat on Twitter at @venturebeat.

  • Jerry
    craigslist is the current haven for prostitutes, but even if they shut it down, a new one will pop up. My guess is http://www.tugtest.com
  • I know this is little bit off topic but if you want to search something on mulitple locations of craigslist then download http://www.motiont.com/craigslistreader.aspx from Motion Technologies
  • Craigslist is a rabid dog. Should be put down.
    My house is for sale and it was listed on this con site several times for RENT.
    I have written numerous letters to craigslist and they never answered. Not once!
    The ppl who listed my house took the photos from my personal website, madeup an email in my name on gmail and requested deposit. They are West-African. Since my name and phone is in te book I got calls all the time and people even stop by at my house to look at the rental. Craigslist harboring criminals from the beginning. It is nice to post for free and most cheap ppl happy with it but it is also the best place for scams. The con artists can repeat their scams as many times they want to.