Planned Parenthood sues anti-abortion activists who produced undercover footages targeting the handling of fetal tissue at some of their clinics. Planned Parenthood argues that these groups are secretly recording and have not asked for permission from them.
ABC News reported that these anti-abortion activists began releasing series of secret footages in July. The Center for Medical Progress accused Planned Parenthood of selling baby parts to researchers for money in a clear violation of federal law.
The organization's executive vice president, Dawn Laguens said that "the people behind this fraud lied and broke the law in order to spread malicious lies about Planned Parenthood." Mr. Laguens added that this federal lawsuit exposes the detailed illegal conspiracy which was design to prohibit women's access to safe and legal abortion.
The federal lawsuits say that the videos were the product of many illegalities. This includes making video recordings without the consent of the organization, violating non-disclosure agreements, and registering false identities with state agencies. Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood denied that they have committed illegal doings. Moreover, they admitted that they were indeed giving fetal tissue to researchers while receiving only legal reimbursement for costs.
Planned Parenthood claims that these anti-abortion activists broke the law by spreading lies and harm to the organization. According to Yahoo News, under the federal law, researchers can legally use human fetal tissue as long as no profiting is not involved.
While the lawsuit has been filed, founder of Center for Medical Progress, David Daleiden said that he is looking forward to facing Planned Parenthood officials in court. Herald Courier reported that Mr. Daleiden said in an email that he is looking forward to deposing all the medical directors, co-conspirators, and CEO's who cooperated in Planned Parenthood's illegal fetal tissues racket.
The suit that was filed by Planned Parenthood against David Daleiden and several collaborators stated that Center for Medical Progress deliberately violated the Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organizations ACT (RICO Act), engaging in mail fraud, invasion of privacy, trespassing, wire fraud and illegal secret recording.
Planned Parenthood is the country's leading abortion provider which also provides a wide array of health services. Center for Medical Progress aims to destroy its foundation by exposing Planned Parenthood's illegal doings. The video recordings that were released has prompted numerous investigations already.
