'Malicious' gossip Web site denies wrongdoing

By Brad Haynes

updated 12:11 p.m. ET March 28, 2008

TRENTON, N.J. - The college gossip Web site JuicyCampus.com has criticized a consumer fraud investigation launched by the New Jersey attorney general.

"JuicyCampus has not violated any laws," reads an unsigned statement posted on the Web site earlier this week. The statement also accuses the attorney general of interfering with users' free speech.

JuicyCampus publishes anonymous, often malicious gossip about college students, with language ranging from catty to hateful and potentially offensive.

Last week the New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram subpoenaed the company as part of a fraud investigation. She said JuicyCampus may be violating the state's Consumer Fraud Act by suggesting that it doesn't allow offensive material but not enforcing that policy.

Since then, the Connecticut attorney general has also launched a fraud investigation of the company and its Nevada-based owner, and a California lawmaker has urged his state attorney general to do the same.

Users at the site have turned their ire on Milgram, posting defamatory suggestions about her sexual activities. The Attorney General's Office had no comment Thursday on the attacks or on the JuicyCampus statement.

"The only response from JuicyCampus that we're interested in seeing is their response to our subpoena," said Attorney General spokesman Jeff Lamm.

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