CEO of escort service Rentboy.com pleads guilty to promoting prostitution

[brooklynite]

Source: Crain 's New York Business

The chief executive officer of the website Rentboy.com pleaded guilty Friday to promoting prostitution.

Jeffrey Hurant faces up to 21 months in prison when he's sentenced Feb. 2 in the federal case in Brooklyn.

The successful site operated for nearly 20 years in an open and racy way, with male escorts paying for ads to attract new—mainly male—customers. That came to an abrupt end during a raid of Rentboy's Manhattan offices last year, led by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The vast majority of prostitution cases are handled by local authorities.

"Surely the Department of Homeland Security has more pressing concerns than to fritter away precious time and resources on something that shouldn't even be criminalized in the first place," Human Rights Watch's Graeme Reid said at the time, echoing the sentiments by the American Civil Liberties Union and other advocacy groups.

Read more: http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20161007/TECHNOLOGY/161009905/ceo-of-escort-service-rentboy-com-pleads-guilty-to-promoting#utm_medium=email&utm_source=cnyb-dailyalert&utm_campaign=cnyb-dailyalert-20161007

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I was under the impression that all they did was lift luggage...

[NobodyHere]

1. There goes my idea for an "uber" for prostitution

[Angry Dragon]

2. Rentboy ........ endorsed by leading republicans

[longship]

3. Here's Rachel Maddow reporting on one who isn't lifting luggage.

It is one of Rachel's best reports.

I think this is the entire report. Her tagline is great.

It's funny that nobody ever talks or hears about George Rekers anymore.

[Blue_Tires]

4. brilliant

[awoke_in_2003]

5. Wasn't it a GOP rep...

that claimed that? He was one of their customers, and claimed it was to help him with his luggage on a business trip, if I recall. I am surprised it took this long. If you've ever been to the site, it is quite obvious what is solicited. IMO, though, what happens sexually between consenting adults is no ones business, and shouldn't be criminal.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

6. .

[broadcaster75201]

7. Consenting adults. Should be legal. n/t

nt

[Yavin4]

8. Can this day get any worse for Republicans?

I guess so.

[keithbvadu2]

9. Christian preachers will find another source of 'luggage handlers'.

Christian preachers will find another source of 'luggage handlers'.

Where there is a market, someone will set up a business for it.