Hours after Craigslist filed a lawsuit against South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster in South Carolina's federal court, McMaster issues a statement that suggests his office will back down from its threats of criminal prosecution. Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster has been vigorous in defending his site against allegations that it serves as a front for prostitution.
Hours after Craigslist announced it would file a lawsuit against South
Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster in that state's federal court,
McMaster issued a statement that appears to be a retreat.
The Craigslist lawsuit, according to a corporate
blog
post by Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster, asked for declaratory relief and a
restraining order "with respect to criminal charges [McMaster] has
repeatedly threatened against Craigslist and its executives."
In a statement issued through his office May 20, McMaster suggested that
Craigslist's lawsuit was "good news" that showed the site was
"taking the matter seriously for the first time."
The statement continued, "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."
In addition, McMaster appeared to back off his previous threats of criminal
prosecution.
"Unfortunately, we had to inform them of possible state criminal
violations concerning their past practices to produce a serious response,"
the statement concluded. "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."
In response to outcry from some quarters,
Craigslist
had promised to replace its Erotic Services category with an Adult Services
section for which postings would be vetted. Buckmaster has claimed
repeatedly over the past week that
Craigslist's
South Carolina adult postings are tame in comparison to those of other media.
"Our 'Adult Services' and soon-to-be-retired 'Erotic Services' sections
combined, for all cities in South Carolina,
currently feature a total of 40 ads, all of which comply with our terms of
use," Buckmaster wrote in a May 18 letter demanding an apology from
McMaster.
In a May 20 letter announcing his lawsuit, Buckmaster claimed that
Craigslist operated in full compliance with all applicable laws, and had
adopted screening measures far more stringent than those applied by McMaster.
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