McMaster Asks Judge to Drop Craigslist Lawsuit

Photo courtesy S.C. Attorney General’s Office

McMaster argues in papers filed Tuesday that the company had not proven that he violated employees’ constitutional rights.

By MEG KINNARD
Associated Press Writer
Published: July 22, 2009

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina’s attorney general has asked a federal judge to dismiss a complaint against him by Craigslist.

Attorney General Henry McMaster argues in papers filed Tuesday that the San Francisco-based company had not proven that he violated employees’ constitutional rights by threatening to prosecute prostitution-related ads.

In May, McMaster gave Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster a 10-day deadline to remove the ads from its South Carolina Web sites or face possible charges. The online advertising service eliminated its “erotic services” category, pledging to screen submissions to a new section.

Buckmaster then sued on grounds that the threats violated employees’ rights. Both sides later agreed McMaster would not prosecute the company while the lawsuit proceeds.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)