College gossip website denies fraud
28 Mar 2008 | 17:13 GMT
States investigating
SOCIAL ABUSE website JuicyCampus has put up an unsigned statement that it "has not violated any laws" in reaction to a consumer fraud investigation launched by the New Jersey attorney general's office. The statement also accuses the state of interfering with its users' rights of free speech online.
JuicyCampus publishes online forums where college students post gossip about each other anonymously. Postings made there range from the merely snide and catty through offensive and hateful up to threatening and potentially libellous.
New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram has launched an investigation and subpoenaed the company last week. She stated that the company might be in violation of the state's Consumer Fraud Act by suggesting that it doesn't allow offensive material but not enforcing the policy.
The Connecticut attorney general's office has also begun a fraud investigation of the company and its Nevada based owner. A state legislator in California has also urged that state's attorney general to investigate.
JuicyCampus users have since posted angry comments about the New Jersey attorney general, including defamatory suggestions about Milgram's sexual orientation and personal life.
New Jersey attorney general's office spokesman Jeff Lamm reportedly said, " The only response from JuicyCampus that we're interested in seeing is their response to our subpoena," according to The Associated Press. µ
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