SAN FRANCISCO – Multiple California divisions of Planned Parenthood are suing two organizations, six individuals and unknown co-conspirators over allegations that the defendants engaged in a campaign to interrupt its operations.
Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc., through its 59 member affiliates, filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Francisco Division on Jan. 14 against the Center for Medical Progress and Biomax Procurement Services LLC, along with David Daleiden, Troy Newman, Albin Rhomberg, Phillip S. Cronin, Sandra Susan Merritt, Gerardo Adrian Lopez, and unknown co-conspirators citing invasion of privacy, fraudulent misrepresentation, trespassing and breach of contract, along with numerous violations of codes.
According to the case, a small number of Planned Parenthood affiliates have offered women seeking abortions have the option of donating fetal tissue for medical research, which could develop potential treatment for a number of diseases. The defendants are "extremists" who target Planned Parenthood with a campaign of violence, intimidation and harassment, the suit states. The plaintiffs allege that the defendants created a fake company called Biomax Procurement and pseudonyms for its employees to gain access to private conferences, where they recorded conversations using hidden cameras. The defendants then released a "vicious online smear campaign" with edited footage, the complaint states.
Planned Parenthood is seeking judgment on all the claims, appropriate injunctive relief and restitution of all costs expended by Planned Parenthood for the defendants’ alleged misconduct. Amy L. Bomse, Sharon D. Mayo and Jee Young You of Arnold and Porter LLP in San Francisco will represent Planned Parenthood.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Francisco Division Case number 4:16-cv-00236-KAW