BROOKLYN, N.Y. — A federal judge has agreed to a request by the Justice Department to reschedule the sentencing of Rentboy.com founder Jeffrey Hurant.
Hurant and his company, Easy Rent Systems Inc., were to be sentenced this morning at Brooklyn federal court, but the government asked for more time in the case after Hurant’s attorneys submitted a 43-page sentencing memorandum that attached more than 150 pages of exhibits.
The Justice Department, in a letter to the court, said the defendant’s sentencing memorandum raises “both factual and legal issues.”
“While the government has been preparing its response, it has determined that it needs additional time to fairly respond to the defendant’s sentencing memorandum,” Justice Department attorneys said.
U.S. District Judge Margo K. Brodie this afternoon gave the approval for more time. She rescheduled the sentencing hearing for Friday, July 21.
Hurant operated the gay hookup site in the open for about two decades. But in 2015, the government raided Rentboy.com offices.
Later, Hurant pleaded guilty to one count of promoting prostitution and, on behalf of his business, one count of money laundering.
Prior to today, prosecutors recommended a prison term for Hurant in the range of 15 to 21 months.
U.S. authorities have already seized about $1.5 million that they claim was laundered money from Hurant's company, Easy Rent Systems Inc.
On Wednesday, Brodie signed off on a preliminary order of forfeiture in regards to the seizure. The government, however, won’t pursue $101,000 that was in Hurant’s personal bank account.
