Los Angeles: Craigslist.com was subpoenaed on Monday by the attorney general of Connecticut, who is trying to determine whether the popular online classified ad service is doing enough to quash prostitution on its site - and whether it may be profiting from it.
Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said in a statement that thousands of ads remain on Craigslist despite assurances from the company they would be removed. The private company could be earning $36.3 million or more a year from prostitution and human trafficking, he said, citing published reports.
"The Craigslist brothel business seems booming - belying its promise to fight prostitution," said Blumenthal. "We are asking Craigslist for specific answers about steps to screen and stop sex-for-money offers - and whether the company is actually profiting from prostitution ads that it promised the states and public that it would try to block."
Craigslist was not immediately available for a comment.
The attorney general is seeking an array of documents, including those related to Craigslist's manual review process, which the company says it uses to remove objectionable ads, correspondence from law enforcement and documents related to revenue from the "erotic" and "adult" services ads.
Last year, Craigslist said it would replace its "erotic services" ads with a new adult category that would be closely screened.
That came after intense scrutiny from state authorities after a masseuse who offered her services as a masseuse on Craigslist was allegedly killed by a client.
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