Prosecutors Alliance Action (PAA) Executive Director Cristine Soto DeBerry issued the following statement on the California legislature passing PAA’s sponsored bill SB 1144 by Senator Nancy Skinner today:

“For years, it has been too easy for individuals to sell stolen goods online with no repercussions. That stops today with the passing of SB 1144. With just a few new regulations on online marketplaces, law enforcement will now have the information needed to find and hold accountable individuals who steal from businesses in our communities and exploit these sites for personal gain. And customers will now have the peace of mind that they are purchasing items from legitimate sellers, not inadvertently buying stolen goods. 

Just eight percent of individuals who commit theft in California are caught, so we need smart preventative solutions like SB 1144 that remove the incentive and opportunity to profit from stolen goods online. We thank Senator Skinner for her partnership on this bill and urge Governor Newsom to sign it as soon as possible.” 

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Prosecutors Alliance Action brings together the voices of prosecutors, victim advocates, and allies to advocate for solutions that will create safe, healthy communities. PAA is a project of Tides Advocacy, a 501(c)(4) organization.