Ex-CEO of male escort service website gets 6 months prison

The former CEO of a once-popular male escort service website who pleaded guilty last year to promoting prostitution was sentenced to six months in prison Wednesday by a judge who said she wanted to send a deterrent message even though she knows the business helped people.

Jeffrey Hurant, who ran the Rentboy.com site, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Margo K. Brodie in Brooklyn.

“The very thing that is illegal — there is no question it did a lot of good,” Brodie said of the website as she also announced a $7,500 fine. “Almost two decades of committing a crime. That can’t go unpunished.”

She noted the many positive letters sent to her on Hurant’s behalf. “I am convinced you started the site for a good purpose,” she said.

Hurant defended the business he said he ran openly for 20 years, saying many sex workers had told him that the website enabled them to work safely and independently after years of laboring in deplorable conditions.

“I disagree with the law I violated. I am obliged to follow it,” he said. “My company mitigated many of the dangers of sex work.”

Prosecutors sought at least a short prison term to deter operators of other escort services from similar misconduct, while his lawyers argued he deserves probation.

In letters to the court, lawmakers, civil rights organizations and other supporters cautioned that a tough sentence could send the wrong message to the gay community.