Backpage founder convicted of 1 count of money laundering, jury deadlocks on 84 other counts
Michael Lacey, a founder of the lucrative classified site Backpage.com, was convicted Thursday on a single count of money laundering and acquitted on another. But an Arizona jury deadlocked on 84 other counts against him in a case that alleged he participated in a scheme to sell sex ads, leading the judge to declare a mistrial.
Lawyers argue indicted Backpage employees sought to keep prostitution ads off site
A former executive and two operations managers for classified site Backpage.com worked vigorously to keep the platform free of ads for prostitution even as strategies on how to do so constantly shifted, their attorneys said Tuesday at a federal trial in Phoenix.
Backpage founder faces 2nd trial over what prosecutors say was scheme to sell sex through ad sales
A founder of the lucrative classified site Backpage.com will face his second trial on charges of facilitating prostitution and laundering money in what authorities say was a scheme to knowingly sell ads for sex on the site.
Education groups consider measure to tax rich – and poor
The activists behind last year’s Invest in Education Act are considering a comeback – they’re eyeing a sales tax hike, an idea they have routinely rejected in the past as regressive and detrimental to the poor.
Allen weathers criticism of racially-charged comments
The Democratic senator and liberal activists who delivered more than 1,000 petitions calling for Sen. Sylvia Allen to lose her position as leader of the Senate Education Committee Wednesday morning acknowledged that Allen isn’t likely to go anywhere.
Lawmaker condemned for saying US might look like South America
A veteran Arizona legislator is apologizing while defending herself from criticism for comments she made on immigration and birth rates.
Utility regulator to consider ban on cutting power in summer
Taken by surprise by reports that an elderly woman died a heat-related death after her power was cut off last summer, state utility regulators are now moving to curb the ability of electric companies to shut off power during the hottest months of the year.
ACLU alleges Maricopa County Attorney illegally withholds public records
The American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona is suing Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery, alleging he has failed to fulfill an abundance of public records requests for a freelance journalist who received just one document over a seven month period.
Police report: Stringer had sex with minors
Former Rep. David Stringer repeatedly invited underage boys into his home for sex, according to records obtained during a House ethics investigation of the recently-resigned lawmaker.
State Bar closes Stringer investigation without misconduct finding
The Arizona State Bar has dismissed its investigation into Rep. David Stringer.
Political baggage burdens Montgomery’s Supreme Court quest
Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery has won three consecutive elections as the county’s chief prosecutor, but he couldn’t get the few votes needed to make it on the shortlist of Arizona Supreme Court nominees.
Second ethics complaint filed against Stringer
Democrat Rep. Reginald Bolding is bringing his own House ethics complaint against Rep. David Stringer and dropping his push for an immediate vote to expel his Republican colleague.