The undercover "sting" videos targeting Planned Parenthood were part of a "complex criminal enterprise" created by "anti-abortion extremists," according to a federal lawsuit filed by the organization. The lawsuit filed Thursday against an anti-abortion group called the Center for Medical Progress accuses the group of committing fraud and breaking racketeering laws to obtain videos of Planned Parenthood employees discussing the transfer of organs from aborted fetuses, Reuters reports. The lawsuit states that the group's activities lasted years and involved the use of fake government IDs, the creation of a fake company, and "large-scale illegal taping" as part of an effort to "demonize Planned Parenthood."
"The people behind this fraud lied and broke the law in order to spread malicious lies," Planned Parenthood executive vice president Dawn Laguens tells the AP. "This lawsuit exposes the elaborate, illegal conspiracy designed to block women's access to safe and legal abortion." She says no Planned Parenthood staff were involved in any wrongdoing. "My response is: Game on," Center for Medical Progress founder David Daleiden tells BuzzFeed, adding that he is looking forward to "taking the depositions of all the Planned Parenthood CEOs" that he claims profited from tissue sales. The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, and Planned Parenthood lawyer Beth Parker tells the AP that the amount will include the cost of extra security for clinics. (More Planned Parenthood stories.)
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