Operation Rescue renews its call for a federal investigation and halt to all federal funding in light of revelations that Planned Parenthood illegally bilked taxpayers out of $180 million
Contact: Troy Newman, President, 316-841-1700; Cheryl Sullenger, Senior Policy Advisor, 316-516-3034; both with Operation Rescue, info@operationrescue.org
LOS ANGELES, March 10 /Christian Newswire/ -- A story published online Saturday by the California Catholic Daily reveals that a former Planned Parenthood employee secretly filed a Federal lawsuit against the abortion giant alleging that "affiliates knowingly engaged in a criminal plot to fleece state and federal taxpayers out of more than $180 million over the course of at least six years."
The suit was filed in 2005, but details only recently became public. In the suit, Victor Gonzalez, who served as Vice President for finance and administration for the Los Angeles affiliate of Planned Parenthood, claims that when he attempted to bring illegalities he discovered to his superiors, he was fired from his job.
"In light of this new revelation that Planned Parenthood could be committing financial fraud that has cost taxpayers over $180 million, Operation Rescue renews its call for a federal investigation and a halt to funding of Planned Parenthood affiliates across the nation," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman.
"In order to receive federal tax dollars, groups must comply with all state and federal laws. That appears not to be the case in California and in other states, such as Kansas," said Newman. "We have again contacted elected representatives in California and Kansas, asking for their attention to this urgent matter."
Operation Rescue previously called for investigations and a halt to funding when Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri was charged with 107 criminal counts of illegal abortions and making false reports to the state. Twenty-three of those charges are felonies. That case is progressing.
"There are increasing reports of alleged illegalities at Planned Parenthood organizations that are surfacing across the nation," said Newman. "Where there's smoke, there's fire. There are far too many credible allegations to dismiss them as rumor. When Planned Parenthood Vice Presidents start blowing the whistle, it's time to listen and take action."
Read full story: "Extensive, organized fraud" from California Catholic Daily
Read previous story about OR's efforts to stop PP funding
About Operation Rescue
Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations in the nation. Operation Rescue recently made headlines when it bought and closed an abortion clinic in Wichita, Kansas and has become the voice of the pro-life activist movement in America. Its activities are on the cutting edge of the abortion issue, taking direct action to restore legal personhood to the pre-born and stop abortion in obedience to biblical mandates.
