For as much flak as they've taken for being so mysterious, BTC-E sure seems to be one of the most legit exchanges out there with the fewest problems. I used to have some FUD about them but that's decreased significantly the past two weeks.
btc-e is a super legal compny like this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4o13isDdfYknowing the law makes things legal not etical but only knowing the law is important.