Appeals Court Sets Date Set for Backpage.com Oral Arguments

Appeals Court Sets Date Set for Backpage.com Oral Arguments

PASADENA, Calif. — The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has scheduled a date for oral arguments in the Backpage.com case, which are now set to occur remotely on August 11.

The hearing will be based in Pasadena, California, though prosecutors and attorneys for defendants Michael Lacey and Jim Larkin will appear electronically via video call or phone call. The arguments will be livestreamed.

Lacey and Larkin’s attorneys allege that the Department of Justice’s seizure of assets from the former Backpage.com owners is unconstitutional.

According to sources close to Lacey and Larkin, the court announced that, “unless a three-judge panel of the Ninth decides to rule on the parties’ briefs alone, oral arguments in the case will take place remotely on August 11.”

The Ninth Circuit’s courthouses are currently closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lacey and Larkin argue that the assets seizure makes it impossible for them to defend themselves properly from the federal government’s charges related to their ownership of adult classified website Backpage.com, shuttered by the FBI in 2018 shortly before the passage of the FOSTA/SESTA legislative package.

The criminal trial, to be held in Arizona, was postponed in February to the middle of August. The government accuses the company of “participation in a conspiracy to facilitate and promote prostitution,” and also of money laundering, human trafficking and other charges.

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

Eva Maxim, BranditScan Launch 'Killer' Promo

Eva Maxim and BranditScan have partnered for the Killer Creator Giveaway promotion.

2026 XBIZ Exec Awards Nominees for Online Industry Announced

XBIZ is pleased to announce the nominees for the online industry edition of the 2026 XBIZ Exec Awards, set to be presented as part of the annual XBIZ Honors ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 14 in conjunction with the XBIZ 2026 digital media conference.

AEBN Publishes Report on POV Trends

AEBN has published a report on POV and gonzo categories from its straight and gay theaters.

Joybear Pictures to Launch 'I Really Love' Studio Imprint

Joybear Pictures has announced that its new studio imprint, I Really Love, will launch in January.

Pineapple Support to Host 'Life Transitions' Support Group

Pineapple Support is hosting a free online support group on navigating transitional and liminal spaces.

CamSoda Launches 'Trick or Tease' AI Companions

CamSoda has launched its Halloween-themed Trick or Tease AI companions.

Russian Lawmakers Call for Age Verification

Two Russian lawmakers have called on the country’s government to implement age verification for adult content.

British Documentary Spotlights XBIZ Amsterdam With Candid Conversations

British creator and host Josh Pieters traveled to XBIZ Amsterdam to film a documentary about the annual European adult industry conference.

XBIZ 2026 to Debut 'New Talent Go-See' Special Event

XBIZ 2026, North America’s premier adult industry conference, will debut a special event designed to help new talent jump-start their careers: the New Talent Go-See.

Penthouse Announces Digital Archive Launch

Penthouse Magazine has announced that it will launch a comprehensive digital archive in 2026.

Show More