I've been reviewing for years, but otherwise have stayed UTR - never gone to a M & G.  Just been invited to one, but it seems like an easy spot for LE to gather information on providers and hobbyists.  Even if you're not doing anything illegal there, doesn't that put you on their radar? Do the organizers provide effective screening?

I can definitely see LE trying to infiltrate a M&G to try and see if there are overt violations going on (ie. the M&G is actually a temporary brothel).  What would be the point of getting a list of who attended?  It would prove nothing.  Worrying about getting 'on LE's radar' is reasonable, but actually a bit paranoid for a 'hobbist' (hate that pronoun but I guess it works).  LE has neither the time nor inclination to target a single client (better) to try and catch him in a bust.   Most of us don't have encounters with providers THAT often and it would be insane to think LE is going to spend any time following you or something to try and nab you.   Hack your computer, tap your phone?  No.  Takes a warrant which requires probable cause that they don't have and a LOT of technical skill and time they are not going to waste trying to make a single solicitation bust.   Think of it as speeding.  Cops don't go finding Corvettes parked and then follow them to see if they are speeding so they can write a citation.  They set up a speed trap and nab whoever comes by - much more productive.
By the way, none of the above applies if you have a title in front of your name like Judge, Governor, Congressman, Senator, Mayor etc.    Then you are a prime target and will make headlines and worth the effort.

My .02.
MVR

unlike drug busts where LE has to infiltrate a gang and carefully orchestrate a set-up, busting hobbyist is as easy as putting up a fake CL ad, luring the clueless to the nearest one star hotel, and bagging them like so many fish in a barrel.

There's no need to invest endless manhours finding out who we all are.

We need to be the smart ones that they never catch.

(still not a lawyer)

That's another reason that I don't do M&G's.

http://classic.theeroticreview.com/discussion_boards/viewmsg.asp?BoardID=25&SortBy=DateCreated%20desc&Search=Meet%20Greet&SearchType=1&DayFrom=600&DayTo=0&ViewAll=1&MessageID=13498&frmSearch=1

http://classic.theeroticreview.com/discussion_boards/viewmsg.asp?BoardID=25&SortBy=DateCreated%20desc&Search=Meet%20Greet&SearchType=1&DayFrom=600&DayTo=0&ViewAll=1&MessageID=13501&frmSearch=1

Yes, there have been meet and greets that have been visited by LE with media

There is nothing illegal about having a cocktail party, even if the attendees were hobbyists and providers.  The organizers generally screen quite effectively, and references are required for all.  It's conceivable that they could set up a false network of references, phony reviews, etc., to get around this, but the cost in time and effort would hardly seem justified to bust maybe a few people at most.  Of greater concern would be if the media found out where and when one of these was occurring, and showed up with TV cameras asking attendees embarrassing questions as the came and left.  Never heard of that happening, though.  As for the debacle in Houston, inadequate screening allowed LE to infiltrate.          

This is not to say that LE never shows up at these events.  I remember attending one a few years ago where LE did show up, based on a tip from a disgruntled provider.  What they found was a roomful of people having a private party in a public venue, with nothing untowards occurring.  Most of us noticed the uniformed officers, and carried on as before, with the cops talking to the club's manager.  After a few minutes, they left.  Sorry, nothing to see here, folks.