An Associated Press report citing US District Court records states that “National A-1 Advertising Inc. and R.S. Duffy Inc. agreed to plead guilty to money laundering conspiracy and will forfeit $4.9 million, pay a $1.5 million fine and serve 1 1/2 years of probation.” This is allegedly related to the operation of Escorts.com.
The report on the ABC News website stated that the companies that were charged have “forfeited the domain name,” although a Whois record indicates that Escorts.com doesn’t seem to have been transferred yet. The website is no longer operational, and there’s a message on the home page that states, “This Domain is Not in Use.”
Just over a year ago, the FBI raided the company’s Philadelphia headquarters, although official word about the investigation entailed was not released. There had been some speculation that it was related to the Escorts.com website, but I don’t recall seeing anything officially released.
The companies that were mentioned employ a considerable amount of people, and I certainly hope this will bring closure to the situation, to give some level of job security to its employees.
Wow, so what’s the play with the name once it get’s transferred to the DOJ?
Will the DOJ just let it drop? Will they give it back (like in the Pokerstars and Full Tilt raids)?
This will be interesting to watch
First craigslist, then poker sites and now this. Government tax dollars at work.