ST. LOUIS – Attorney General Josh Hawley filed court documents in St. Louis today with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri which contain explosive new revelations about Backpage.com’s involvement in human trafficking. Hawley announced an investigation into Backpage and its alleged trafficking ties in May. Last month, Backpage filed a lawsuit against Hawley to block his investigation. Hawley today filed a motion to dismiss Backpage’s suit.
“The evidence we are making public today indicates Backpage has directly and actively promoted illegal sex trafficking,” Hawley said.
“My message to Backpage is this: The truth is coming for you. We have evidence including audio recordings, photos and various documents. You cannot hide from the truth. And I will not stop until the full truth about Backpage’s involvement in trafficking is exposed and those responsible are held to account,” Hawley said.
The documents filed today substantiate details reported by the Washington Post last month, and reveal critical new evidence about Backpage’s active participation in soliciting and creating sex-related ads.
Please find documentation here.
