Hawley Seeking Sanctions Against Backpage.com

Backpage.com is on the receiving end of a motion seeking criminal sanctions filed on Monday by Attorney General Josh Hawley’s office. The motion claims recent guilty pleas by Backpage to allegations of human trafficking and money laundering directly contradict statements made by the company in court proceedings with the AG’s office. Hawley launched an investigation in May, 2017, into the activities of Backpage which responded by filing a lawsuit of their own trying to block the investigation. Backpage had claimed federal law and the First Amendment protected them against any claims made regarding alleged sex trafficking. The motion for criminal actions filed, Monday, by the AG’s office is calling for additional penalties and for Backpage to create a restitution fund for trafficking victims in Missouri.