2nd UPDATE: Craigslist sues, SC Attorney General and escort service respond

SC Attorney General Henry McMaster, and Craislist CEO Jim Buckmaster (Buckmaster image courtesy: craigslist blog)

By News 2
Published: May 20, 2009

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UPDATE 2

News 2 spoke with the owner of a lowcountry escort service. She gave us her perspective on the lawsuit/investigation between Craigslist and A.G. Henry McMaster. Find that story at the link below.

http://www.counton2.com/cbd/news/local/article/lowcountry_escort_service_owner_talks_about_craigslist_showdown/25147/

UPDATE 1

South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster on Wednesday called a lawsuit filed against him by Craigslist "good news."

McMaster said, "It shows that Craigslist is taking the matter seriously for the first time." Read his entire statement below.

Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster said in Wednesday's blog that he filed suit against McMaster, seeking declaratory relief and a restraining order.

McMaster said he will prosecute Craigslist for posting prostitution ads on the site in South Carolina.

In his blog, Buckmaster says, "Two weeks ago Mr McMaster presented craigslist with an ultimatum, 'to 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.'”

| Read Buckmaster's blog in its entirety |

Here is the full text of the statement released by McMaster:

"The defensive legal action craigslist has taken against the solicitors and my office is good news. It shows that craigslist is taking the matter seriously for the first time.

More importantly, overnight they have removed the erotic services section from their website, as we asked them to do. And they are now taking responsibility for the content of their future advertisements. If they keep their word, this is a victory for law enforcement and for the people of South Carolina.

Unfortunately, we had to inform them of possible state criminal violations concerning their past practices to produce a serious response. We trust they will now adhere to the higher standards they have promised. This office and the law enforcement agencies of South Carolina will continue to monitor the site to make certain that our laws are respected."

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