Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri on Lawsuit Against Center for Medical Progress
For Immediate Release: Jan. 14, 2016
Overland Park – Today, Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) along with seven California affiliates, filed suit in U.S. District Court, against Center for Medical Progress (CMP), the organization behind falsified videos released last year deceptively portraying fetal tissue sale. The lawsuit charges that CMP, its leaders, and multiple co-conspirators engaged in illegal conduct that includes violating the federal Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO Act) and engaged in wire fraud, mail fraud, invasion of privacy, illegal secret recording, and trespassing.
“CMP fabricated a story about Planned Parenthood’s practices, which fueled a toxic environment across the country and right here at home in Kansas and Missouri. Emboldened by CMP’s fabrication, Governor Sam Brownback, in his 2016 State of the State address knowingly made false statements against Planned Parenthood and used those false statements to justify defunding the organization in the state of Kansas,” Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri President and CEO, Laura McQuade said.
“In Missouri, CMP’s smear campaign triggered what has been called a witch hunt. Senator Kurt Schaefer used the Sanctity of Life Committee to attack Planned Parenthood and cut off access to safe and legal abortion services for women in Mid-Missouri. He did this despite a thorough investigation by the Attorney General proving that Planned Parenthood follows all laws and regulations set by the state of Missouri.”
PPKM is not currently a party to this lawsuit but stands strongly behind the affiliates and PPFA in their efforts to hold these extremists accountable for their reckless and dangerous actions.
“Planned Parenthood is a century old, high quality health care provider embedded in every community in this country. We’re going on the offensive to expose this fraud for what it is and hold the people behind it accountable – in order to prevent further harassment of our patients and staff and protect access to the preventive and reproductive health care Planned Parenthood provides to millions of people each year.”
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Planned Parenthood is a vital resource for our community and for women and families throughout Kansas and Missouri. We are a trusted advocate and source of health care and education for thousands of women, men, and children. For 80 years, women have relied on Planned Parenthood to keep themselves and their families safe and healthy.
Source
Planned Parenthood Great Plains
Contact
Bonyen Lee-Gilmore, 913-345-4693
Sheila Kostas, 913-345-4653
Published
January 14, 2016