MyRedBook Closure Said to Affect More Than 10,000 Sex Workers

SAN FRANCISCO — The FBI seizures of MyRedbook.com and SFRedbook.com could put more than 10,000 sex workers who relied on the sites in financial turbulence, says a leading authority on erotic service providers.

Maxine Doogan, who leads the nonprofit ESPLER — known formally as the Erotic Service Provider Legal, Educational and Research Project — said that MyRedBook, in particular, had more than 40,000 listings for erotic services when it was seized by the FBI and IRS.

"Considering that figure along with duplicate entries, there were more than 10,000 workers who had postings on the site that have been affected by the closure," Doogan told XBIZ. "New sexual service providers are the most affected because they have never advertised anywhere but online. People are really unaware how devastating this is to them."

Doogan, a veteran of the erotic service industry, said that she could recall another incident several years ago that reminded her of the seizures and the glum aftermath for providers.  

"It took more than a year for East Coast service providers to recover after Escorts.com was seized by the FBI," she said.

In 2011, the operators of Escorts.com — National A-1 Advertising Inc. and R.S. Duffy Inc. — agreed to plead guilty to money laundering conspiracy.

As a result, the Philadelphia companies agreed to forfeit nearly $5 million and pay a $1.5 million fine. The companies also forfeited the domain name Escorts.com, which they had operated for four years. It was the first successful prosecution against an online escort site.

As for the MyRedBook case, Doogan said that the rights for Eric Omuro and Annmarie Lanoce, the owners of the site charged with using the Internet to facilitate prostitution and money laundering, are being trampled.

"Their case is about protected free speech," she said. "We need the entire sex industry to help. The opposition has an agenda, and we need the entire industry, including the adult film industry, to coalesce.

"Everyone in this industry has a target on their head, and now they are exporting their ideas to other countries, shutting down red-light districts and getting federal agencies involved into their own version of compliance."

Doogan and her group ESPLER are currently fighting California's criminal code on prostitution laws through the "Litigate to Emancipate" fund that can be accessed here.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

TrustyFans Introduces New Blog

Creator directory TrustyFans has introduced an official blog to its site, titled "From Hidden to Hype."

JustFor.fans' Dominic Ford Featured in Wired Magazine

JustFor.fans Founder and CEO Dominic Ford is featured in a new article in Wired Magazine, titled "The Internet Revolutionized Porn. Age Verification Could Upend Everything."

Dr. Charlotte Gaydos Joins ProDx Health Advisory Board

Dr. Charlotte Gaydos has joined the Advisory Board of ProDx Health.

Aylo Fined $5 Million as FTC, Utah Settle Safety Practices Complaint

The Federal Trade Commission and the state of Utah on Wednesday settled a complaint against Aylo, requiring the company to pay a $5 million penalty and implement measures to prevent illegal content from appearing on its sites.

New AI Companion Platform 'Pornstar.love' Launches

Pornstar.love, a new AI companion platform, has officially launched.

Pineapple Support, Stripchat to Host 'Navigating Thoughts of Suicide' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Stripchat are hosting a free online support group to help performers deal with suicidal ideation.

Plaiir Names Cade Maddox as Lead of Creator Relations

Networking platform Plaiir has appointed Cade Maddox as its new lead of creator relations.

Go.cam Launches 'One-Line Integration' Verification Solution

Go.cam has introduced a one-line code integration for age verification.

XBIZ Amsterdam to Debut 'Behind the Lens' Screening Series

XBIZ is pleased to announce the debut of “Behind the Lens,” a new screening series presenting discussions with noted directors, taking place at the upcoming annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam.

'White Rabbit' Party Headed for XBIZ Amsterdam

XBIZ is pleased to announce the White Rabbit Party, an XBIZ Amsterdam special event set to take place Wednesday, Sept. 3.

Show More