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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Craigslist Sues SC AG to Stop Charges

AG hails it as a win for his state

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(Newser) – Craigslist has filed federal suit against South Carolina’s attorney general to stop him from charging company executives with breaking state prostitution and obscenity laws. AG Henry McMaster called the site’s move a victory, saying “it shows that Craigslist is taking the matter seriously for the first time,” the State reports. “Overnight they have removed the erotic services section.”

That section was swapped out nationwide this week for an “adult services” page monitored by Craigslist staff. McMaster didn't say whether he would move ahead with charges against Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster, but he warned he will "continue to monitor the site to make certain that our laws are respected." For his part, Buckmaster said McMaster's repeated legal threats "have left us little choice but to seek declaratory relief before the court."

South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster says the Craigslist suit is a victory for his efforts.
South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster says the Craigslist suit is a victory for his efforts.   (AP Photo)
Craigslist's Jim Buckmaster, left, says the company filed suit to prevent the executives from being charged with violating prostitution and obscenity laws.
Craigslist's Jim Buckmaster, left, says the company filed suit to prevent the executives from being charged with violating prostitution and obscenity laws.   (AP Photo)
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They are now taking responsibility for the content of their future advertisements. If they keep their word, this is a victory.
- Henry McMaster, South
Carolina attorney general

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4 comments
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anchower
May 21, 09 12:32 AM CDT
Didn't they remove the Erotic Services section in response to the Craigslist Killings? F SC. Reply
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+2
Reader64481089
May 21, 09 6:30 AM CDT
AG Henry McMaster's local news papers read like a rolling cat house but to make political points he causes gried to Craigslist, what a looser. Reply
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+1
triordan
May 21, 09 9:56 AM CDT
I'm really tired of these small time officials trying to make a big name for themselves by going after pointless issues. There's a lot more going on right now that needs attention. Craigslist is responding to the requests, leave them alone and stop wasting the courts time and money. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Mr.C
May 21, 09 10:10 PM CDT
In this case "pointless issues" include murder. Also the AG makes a set salary and therefore is not wasting any money at all. What in SC needs more attention - I'm sure the AG would follow up on anything more pressing.
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(Newser) - Sure, the ads in Craigslist’s new “Adult Services” section are tamer than those that appeared in the old “Erotic Services” category, shuttered after the firestorm surrounding the “Craigslist killer” case. But read between the lines and the meaning is still the same, Chris Matyszczyk writes for... More »

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(Newser) - Craigslist's new "adult services" section is doing little to curb prostitution and may actually be making the profession more dangerous, Ars Technica reports. With the demise of the explicit erotic services page, many posters have started using code words like "erotic massages" and "french lessons"... More »

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(Newser) - Craigslist is due an apology from South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster, the site’s CEO writes on his company blog, after threatening “unwarranted and unconstitutional charges against us that are clearly barred by federal law.” What’s more, Jim Buckmaster charges, Craigslist isn’t the only outlet... More »

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Internet • South Carolina • Craigslist • lawsuit • obscenity • Jim Buckmaster • attorney general • Henry McMaster • erotic services

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