Facebook agrees to remove some so-called Newtown 'tribute' pages created after school shooting

HARTFORD, Conn. - U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal says Facebook has agreed to remove some so-called tribute pages related to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting over concerns they're being used to exploit the tragedy.

Blumenthal and fellow Connecticut Democrats U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy and U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty had complained to Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg in a letter Monday morning.

The lawmakers say some pages purportedly set up to honor the victims of the Dec. 14 shooting in Newtown have been used to exploit or harass the families and could be used as vehicles for financial fraud.

Blumenthal said his office received a phone call Monday from Facebook officials saying they would begin removing the pages immediately.

Facebook did not immediately reply to an email request for comment.