Craigslist Given 5 p.m. Deadline to Avoid Obscenity, Solicitation Charges

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina’s attorney general has given Craigslist a 5 p.m. deadline today to remove what he considers obscene photos and solicitations for prostitution.

It was unclear Friday morning whether officials at San Francisco-based Craigslist would meet the deadline to avoid possible prosecution on South Carolina charges.

South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster said if Craigslist doesn’t comply with his order or if other cases come up relative to its listings, company executives could be charged with aiding and abetting prostitution.

“We made it clear to Craigslist — we want it all off,” McMaster spokesman Mark Plowden said Thursday.

Craigslist did not immediately respond to XBIZ requests for comment.

Craigslist earlier this week agreed to shut down its "erotic services" section — which has been criticized as a front for prostitution — within seven days, attorneys general in Connecticut, Illinois and Missouri said.

The company also will monitor each ad on a new “adult services” section, Connecticut’s attorney general said.

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