Craigslist strikes back at attorney general, seeks restraining order

South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster hit Craiglist with an ultimatum earlier this month: “Remove the portions of the Internet site dedicated to South Carolina and its municipal regions which contain categories for and functions allowing for the solicitation of prostitution and the dissemination and posting of graphic pornographic material” within ten (10) days.”

“If those South Carolina portions of the site are not removed,” McMaster said, “the management of craigslist may be subject to criminal investigation and prosecution.”

Now, Craigslist has filed a suit against McMaster in a South Carolina Federal court. The online classified ads directory seeks declaratory relief and “a restraining order with respect to criminal charges he has repeatedly threatened against craigslist and its executives,” according to a post on Craigslist’s company blog. The rest of the post gives their side of the argument.