The Latest: January 2020 trial set for Backpage.com founders
PHOENIX (AP) — The Latest on a hearing Monday in a criminal case in which the founders of the classified advertising site Backpage.com are accused of knowingly running ads for sexual services (all times local):
10:06 a.m.
A trial date has been set for two founders and five employees of Backpage.com in case in which the classified advertising site is accused of knowingly running ads for sexual services.
Michael Lacey, James Larkin and five employees of the site who are charged in the case are scheduled for trial on Jan. 15, 2020.
All seven have pleaded not guilty.
An indictment accuses the site of ignoring warnings to stop running advertisements promoting prostitution, sometimes involving children, because the lucrative enterprise brought in half a billion dollars.
In related cases, Backpage.com CEO Carl Ferrer has pleaded guilty to a federal conspiracy charge in Arizona and money laundering charges in California.
The company has pleaded guilty to human trafficking in Texas and money laundering conspiracy in Arizona.
10:57 p.m.
A court hearing is scheduled for two founders of the classified advertising site Backpage.com in a case in which they are accused of knowingly running ads for sexual services.
The hearing will be held Monday for Michael Lacey, James Larkin and five employees of the site who are charged in the case.
All seven have pleaded not guilty.
An indictment filed in late March accuses the site of ignoring warnings to stop running advertisements promoting prostitution, sometimes involving children, because the lucrative enterprise brought in half a billion dollars.
In related cases, Backpage.com CEO Carl Ferrer has pleaded guilty to a federal conspiracy charge in Arizona and money laundering charges in California.
The company also has pleaded guilty to human trafficking in Texas and money laundering conspiracy in Arizona.
