CA - Backpage founders Michael Lacey and James Larkin (found dead 2023), charged with facilitating prostitution, Oct 2016 *retrial 2023*

[JerseyGirl]

Backpage Founder Dies By Suicide Days Before Trial

Jim Larkin was scheduled to stand trial for charges of money laundering and facilitating prostitution next week.

www.thedailybeast.com

Jim Larkin, the co-founder of the Phoenix New Times and the infamous classified ads site Backpage.com, died by suicide this week, just days ahead of his federal trial.

Larkin, 74, was found dead of a gunshot Monday about an hour outside of his home in Paradise Valley, Arizona, local police told the New Times. The authorities said foul play was not suspected

Larkin was set to stand trial starting next week on charges related to his ownership of Backpage, a classified advertising website that hosted a large number of ads for prostitution.

The trial of the other Backpage executives will continue as scheduled, U.S. District Judge Diane Humetewa said. The parties were scheduled to meet Friday to discuss dismissing the indictment against Larkin.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Trial of Backpage executives delayed after co-founder’s death

Jim Larkin died by suicide on July 31, just days before his second criminal trial was scheduled to begin.

www.phoenixnewtimes.com

In a motion filed under seal Wednesday, defense attorneys asked for a two-month delay, which prosecutors opposed. "I'm willing to entertain a trial date of Aug. 29, and I think that's as far as I can go," Humetewa said Friday. By the end of the hearing, it was settled: The trial will begin Aug. 29 and is slated to end by Nov. 9.

 

[Spyderlady]

Backpage manager says he's not certain 'every single' escort ad on site was for prostitution

The government's main witness against Michael Lacey and other Backpage employees was on the stand for nearly two weeks before cross examination began.

news.yahoo.com

 

[JerseyGirl]

https://www.courthousenews.com/backpage-ads-had-all-the-indicators-of-prostitution-prosecutors-say-in-trial-closings/

The federal case against former executives and employees of Backpage.com is winding down, with prosecutors wrapping up closing arguments Friday and defense lawyers beginning their own final remarks in the two-month trial.

 

[Spyderlady]

https://www.courthousenews.com/backpage-creator-michael-lacey-spared-on-prostitution-charges/

A federal jury spared Michael Lacey, founder and former owner of the controversial classified advertising website Backpage.com, convictions for facilitating prostitution Thursday but did find him guilty of one count of international concealment money laundering.