Craigslist 'largest prostitution source in US'

Craigslist has been accused of being the biggest source of prostitution in the United States.

CHICAGO - Cook County's sheriff planned to announce a lawsuit against Craigslist, calling the popular website "the single largest source of prostitution in the nation."

Sheriff Tom Dart's office did not immediately release details about the lawsuit or specific allegations but said in a brief advisory that an afternoon news conference was planned in Chicago.

San Francisco-based Craigslist did not immediately return email and telephone requests for comment. Telephone and email messages also were left for the company's public relations firm.

"Erotic services" ads posted on Craigslist have resulted in several prostitution arrests nationwide.

Federal prosecutors charged a New York man in November with being a violent pimp who forced young girls and women into prostitution, alleging he advertised the services of women between the ages of 15 and 20.

And in January, two Wisconsin women were charged with misdemeanour prostitution after allegedly offering sex for money in Craigslist ads.

Craigslist had reached an agreement in November with attorneys general in Connecticut, Illinois and several other states that called for the company to crack down on prostitution ads. The Connecticut Attorney General's office had contacted the website and after receiving several complaints about posted photographs depicting nudity.

Jim Buckmaster, Craigslist's CEO, said at the time of the agreement that it would allow legitimate escort services to continue advertising, while discouraging illegal activity by requiring anyone posting "erotic services" ads to provide a working phone number and pay a fee with a valid credit card.

Craigslist also agreed to provide that information to law enforcement if subpoenaed.

At the time, Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who brokered the agreement, said Craigslist co-operated fully and there never was a need to threaten the company with legal action.

"I am fully convinced that Craigslist wants to stop this activity as much as we do," Blumenthal said.

Also in November, Craigslist filed lawsuits against more than a dozen software and internet companies that help people who post erotic service ads to circumvent the website's defences against inappropriate content and illegal activity.

- AP