Backpage co-founder sentenced to five years in prison

Michael Lacey, a laminitis of the defunct classified tract Backpage.com, received a five-year situation condemnation connected Wednesday and was fined $3 million. Lacey was recovered blameworthy of wealth laundering past twelvemonth successful a sweeping case that alleged Backpage executives promoted and profited from prostitution. 

Lacey was convicted connected a azygous number of planetary concealment wealth laundering successful November 2023 but was acquitted of 50 different charges related to prostitution facilitation and wealth laundering owed to insufficient evidence. He inactive faces astir 30 related charges, according to the Associated Press. Two different Backpage executives — erstwhile main fiscal serviceman John Brunst and enforcement vice president Scott Spear — received 10-year situation sentences connected Wednesday aft being convicted of wealth laundering and prostitution facilitation past year.

“The defendants and their conspirators obtained much than $500 cardinal from operating an online forum that facilitated the intersexual exploitation of countless victims,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri in a Department of Justice property release. “The defendants thought they could fell their illicit proceeds by laundering the funds done ammunition companies successful overseas countries. But they were wrong.”