Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, a Republican, filed a lawsuit against Planned Parenthood alleging it illegally transported minors across state lines for abortions without parental consent, based solely on a hidden camera video produced by Project Veritas, a conservative group known for promoting false claims.
The suit accuses Planned Parenthood of violating Missouri law banning assistance for minors to obtain abortions.
Planned Parenthood denied the allegations, noting Kansas law requires parental consent for minors and it does not provide transportation.
“We will continue following state and federal laws and proudly providing Missourians with the compassionate sexual and reproductive care that remains available to them in a state with a total abortion ban,” Planned Parenthood Great Plains President and CEO Emily Wales said.
It is time to “eradicate Planned Parenthood once and for all,” Bailey said.
“This is the beginning of the end for Planned Parenthood in the State of Missouri. What they conceal and conspire to do in the dark of night has now been uncovered,” Bailey said.
Critics argue the suit is politically motivated as Bailey, who was appointed AG, is running for election and Republicans have long opposed Planned Parenthood funding.
The video “is heavily doctored and edited,” Wales said, calling the suit “a press release dressed up as legal action from an unelected attorney general.”
Bailey’s action “falls in the bucket again of another lawsuit just to try to get some headlines in an election year,” House Minority Leader Crystal Quade said.
The outcome could impact whether Planned Parenthood continues operating in Missouri following its near-total abortion ban.
