Associated Press - March 5, 2009 1:14 PM ET
CHICAGO (AP) - Cook County's sheriff is suing Craigslist, saying the popular Web site knowingly promotes and facilitates prostitution on a massive scale.
In a news release, Sheriff Tom Dart said he's asking a federal judge to order that Craigslist eliminate its "Erotic Services' section. Dart contends that section contains the majority of the prostitution ads he says are on the site.
Dart suggested the ads are blatant solicitations for prostitution. And he contends that Craigslist's owners know their Web site is being used for illegal purposes and don't do anything to stop it.
San Francisco-based Craigslist hasn't return e-mail and telephone requests for comment today.
Dart says he decided to sue after repeated efforts over the last two years failed to get Craigslist to shut down the "Erotic Services" section.
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