Founder of Backpage.com Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison, Fined $3 Million for Money Laundering

Authorities said Backpage.com generated more than $500 million in prostitution-related revenue.
Founder of Backpage.com Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison, Fined $3 Million for Money Laundering
Backpage.com founder Michael Lacey attends a Senate committee on Capitol Hill on Jan. 10, 2017. Cliff Owen/AP Photo
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Michael Lacey, a founder of the classified advertising website Backpage.com, was sentenced on Aug. 28 to five years in prison for money laundering in a case involving allegations of a scheme to promote and profit from prostitution through the now-shuttered website.

The 76-year-old, who’s also a former Phoenix New Times executive editor, was also fined $3 million.

Katabella Roberts
Katabella Roberts
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Katabella Roberts is a news writer for The Epoch Times, focusing primarily on the United States, world, and business news.