Backpage.com’s CEO Is No-Show at Senate Hearing

Backpage.com’s CEO Is No-Show at Senate Hearing

WASHINGTON — Senators investigating sex trafficking blasted the CEO of Backpage.com for failing to show up at a hearing this week despite being subject to a subpoena.

U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) also are considering Justice Department to examine the case for a possible charge of criminal contempt of Congress.

Portman said the committee called Backpage.com CEO Carl Ferrer to testify about the site’s adult services advertising pages.

But Ferrer’s attorneys told the committee the day before the hearing that he would be out of the country and that were he to testify he would likely invoke his Fifth Amendment right to avoid self-incrimination.

At the hearing, a representative from the National Center for Exploited and Missing Children (NCEMC), testified that 71 percent of child sex trafficking reports submitted to its tipline relate to Backpage.com. The rep cited several Backpage.com business practices inconsistent with the center's standards.

Portman said it “may justify a referral to the Department of Justice for criminal contempt” and noted that Ferrer’s decision not to testify “a clear act of contempt.”

Just this week, a federal appeals court ordered the Cook County Sheriff’s Department to halt lobbying major credit card companies that do business with Backpage.com.

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart was sued by Backpage in July after he successfully placed pressure on Visa and MasterCard to stop processing credit card transactions for Backpage. Dart said the the pressure was necessitated by “years of growth in the ... sex trade.”

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

FSC Publishes Analysis of Federal Trade Commission Event Promoting AV

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published an analysis of a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) event held this week that promoted age verification among other forms of speech regulation.

GirlsDoPorn Owner Michael Pratt Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking

Michael Pratt, former owner of the rogue website GirlsDoPorn, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California on Thursday to sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking charges, according to a report by City News Service.

Master Nico Relaunches Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Master Nico has relaunched his official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Federal Judge Grants Partial Halt of Florida AV Law

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Tallahassee Division, has granted a preliminary injunction against HB 3, the state's age verification law, as a lawsuit filed by two online trade associations challenging the law makes its way through the courts.

Aylo Releases Statement on Suspending Access to Pornhub in France

Technology and media company Aylo, which operates adult sites including Pornhub, YouPorn, and Redtube, has released a public statement regarding its decision to block access to its sites in France.

Pineapple Support to Host Wellness Sessions at Bucharest Summit

Pineapple Support is hosting free group and one-on-one therapy sessions at Bucharest Summit, June 3-5.

Pornhub Blocks Access in France in Response to SREN Law

Pornhub parent company Aylo has opted to block access to its sites in France rather than comply with age verification requirements under the country’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law.

ASACP Highlights Study on Parental Controls

The Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP) is highlighting the results of a study on the underutilization of parental controls.

Sydney Screams Launches New Site Through Grooby's Blue.xxx

Sydney Screams has launched her new membership site, SydneyScreams.xxx, through Grooby's website management company Blue.xxx.

Mistress Mystii Is LoyalFans' 'Featured Creator' for June

LoyalFans has named Mistress Mystii as its Featured Creator for June.

Show More