Federal authorities have dismissed charges against six former employees of the website Rentboy.com.

The New York Times reports prosecutors are still moving forward with their case against the former chief executive on counts of money laundering and promoting prostitution.

Jeffrey Hurant continues to maintain his innocence. His lawyer, Michael Tremonte, says "it makes no sense to single him out for prosecution."

When the case was announced last summer, activists compared it to police raids of gay bars in the 1950s and '60s. They noted that the website had been operating openly for more than 15 years.

Human rights groups also objected to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's involvement in the case.

The charges that were dropped could later be refiled.

Prosecutors declined to comment.