CHICAGO (AP) — The sheriff of Cook County in Illinois has filed a federal lawsuit against Craigslist.
Sheriff Tom Dart says the online classified ads site promotes prostitution on a massive scale.
He says Craigslist should eliminate its "erotic services" section, which he says includes ads that are blatant solicitations for prostitution. Dart says runaway children and abused women are "forced to have sex with strangers because they're being pimped on Craigslist."
Craigslist lets users post classified ads. It generally doesn't check the postings or remove them unless it receives complaints.
The "erotic services" ads on Craigslist have resulted in several prostitution arrests nationwide.
In November, Craigslist reached an agreement with attorneys general in several states that called for the company to crack down on ads for adult services.
