Today, a federal district court jury in San Francisco found the creators of the anti-abortion smear campaign against abortion providers all broke multiple state and federal laws in their efforts. The jury ruled in Planned Parenthood’s favor on each of its claims, including finding that the defendants violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and engaged in fraud, trespass, breach of contract, and illegal secret recording. The jury awarded Planned Parenthood both compensatory and punitive damages, totaling more than $2 million, for the injuries that Daleiden and his co-conspirators caused.
Statement from The Very Reverend Katherine Ragsdale, President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation:
“This jury verdict shows that the only people who committed any crime are David Daleiden and his co-conspirators, not abortion providers. It is time for elected officials to stop sopping for political points by bowing to anti-abortion extremists’ demands and treat them like the criminals that they are.
In addition to the great news from this jury, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals today rejected Daleiden’s and his co-conspirators’ latest baseless appeal in our own civil lawsuit. Since we first filed our lawsuit on July 31, 2015, Daleiden has obstructed and delayed every attempt to hold him and his cohorts accountable for their illegal actions. Today’s jury verdict illuminates what he and his co-conspirators are trying to hide: their guilt.
Abortion providers are heroes and do not deserve to be targeted by these illegal smear campaigns that have endangered their lives. We are proud of our members and the great work they do every day.”
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The National Abortion Federation (NAF) is the professional association of abortion providers. Our members include individuals, private and non-profit clinics, Planned Parenthood affiliates, women’s health centers, physicians’ offices, and hospitals who together care for approximately half the women who choose abortion in the U.S. and Canada each year. Our members also include public hospitals and both public and private clinics in Mexico City and private clinics in Colombia. NAF unites, represents, serves, and supports abortion providers in delivering patient-centered, evidence-based care.
CONTACT:
Alissa Manzoeillo, National Abortion Federation
(202) 918-7768
amanzoeillo@prochoice.org