The following contains the analysis and opinions of the author and no one else. The author does not speak for the Backpage defendants. During the second Backpage trial in 2023, prosecutors sought an end-run around the First Amendment, claiming that…

The late Jim Larkin‘s powerful presence pervades a new documentary by Reason magazine on the federal criminal case involving Backpage.com. The as-yet-untitled 40-minute film was previewed in late July to an audience of about 100 at a brick-lined venue on…

Michael Lacey

During opening arguments on Thursday in the Backpage trial in Phoenix, Michael Lacey’s attorney, Paul Cambria, rebutted allegations made by federal prosecutors that Lacey “facilitated” misdemeanor prostitution offenses because he once co-owned the classified listings site, Backpage.com. “Sex for money…

First Amendment

PLEASE ALSO READ: A STATEMENT FROM LACEY AND LARKIN ON THEIR 2021 TRIAL MAJOR POINTS Michael Lacey, Jim Larkin and four codefendants currently face 100 counts including the following: facilitating misdemeanor state prostitution offenses in violation of the U.S. Travel…

Richard Ruelas

In hindsight, I should not be surprised by “reporter” Richard Ruelas’ shameful steaming pile of a hit piece in the Arizona Republic yesterday. After all, the first thing the Republic lifer did when veteran newspapermen Michael Lacey and Jim Larkin…