Elizabeth Nolan Brown|Aug. 25, 2015 1:07 pm
Spritz
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the New York City Police Department (NYPD) today raided the Manhattan headquarters of Rentboy.com, which bills itself as "the original and world's largest male escort site." CEO Jeffrey Hurant and six other employees were arrested, according to WABC New York. The feds also seized their homes, bank accounts, and $1.4 million.
The raid was carried out in conjunction with a criminal complaint unsealed today in the U.S. district Court for the Eastern District of New York. Hurant and the other employees were charged with conspiring to violate the Travel Act by promoting prostitution.
"Rentboy.com attempted to present a veneer of legality, when in fact this Internet brothel made millions of dollars from the promotion of illegal prostitution," said Acting United States Attorney Kelly T. Currie, also thanking the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the New York District Attorney's Office for their help in bringing down the popular escort advertising site.
"Rentboy.com profited from the promotion of prostitution despite their claim that their advertisements were not for sexual services," said NYPD Police Commissioner William Bratton. But "thanks to the detectives, agents, and prosecutors of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District involved in this investigation, these individuals will be held accountable for running this racket."
WABC New York
Rentboy was popular in the gay community, known for playful celebration of sex work (it has run "the Hookies," a male escort award ceremony, since 2006) and community activism (it recently launched a scholarship fund for escorts who advertise on Rentboy and want to go back to school).
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Glenn Sorge called Rentboy's offenses "a federal crime made even more egregious when it’s blatantly advertised by a global criminal enterprise." Homeland Security "will use its unique authorities to disrupt and dismantle such organizations and seize the millions of dollars in illegal proceeds they generate," he added.
Update: Here's the official complaint.
The NYPD just raided Napoleons workplace
- Thread starter CHL
- Start date
ExodusNirvana
Change is inevitable...
Shots fired
You wrong for this....
theworldismine13
God Emperor of SOHH
im very disturbed over the implicit and explicit homophobia and fascism displayed in this thread
this thread goes against the progressive values we are trying to nurture in HL
this thread goes against the progressive values we are trying to nurture in HL
What? This is an important story that directly affects a HL poster and I'm just wondering what Napoleon will do now
Broke Wave
The GOAT
This forum is definately not homophobic. Ive heard you speak, you sound sweet as lemonade
theworldismine13
God Emperor of SOHH
This forum is definately not homophobic. Ive heard you speak, you sound sweet as lemonade
this forum has rampant homophobia with posters like @Melbournelad and im highly offended by it
we need to enforce progressive values to make the world a better place and to bring world peace, and it all starts right here
Your acceptance and support of the gay community,
and by extension yourself,
theworldismine13
God Emperor of SOHH
you're a fascist not a progressive, and your homophobic attacks are evidence of that
As I have made clear I am completely supportive of Napoleon in regards to this, and I'm sure he does a wonderful job in the community.
However I cannot say the same for gay black/white supremacist fascists who speak in Orwellian terms.
This forum is definately not homophobic. Ive heard you speak, you sound sweet as lemonade
The funny thing throughout this is that NONE of this is actually me. 
Dudes really went on some campaign because of "posting styles"
Dudes really went on some campaign because of "posting styles"
Why does Homeland Security care about a gay escort service?
theworldismine13
God Emperor of SOHH
thats good that you accept the homosexual lifestyle, that is a good step toward creating a forum with progressive values