For immediate release:
August 27, 2007

Contact:
Nanci Gonder
573/751-6062

IN MAJOR CONFLICT, NIXON WANTS ONLY PRO-PLANNED PARENTHOOD PARTIES REPRESENTING BOTH SIDES IN PLANNED PARENTHOOD CASE

Jefferson City - Jane Drummond, Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services today exposed Attorney General Jay Nixon's efforts to manipulate the court to assure that both the defendant and plaintiff support Planned Parenthood in Planned Parenthood's lawsuit against the department.  Planned Parenthood filed the lawsuit against a new law that regulates abortion clinics to provide for women's health and safety.

In a brief filed Friday, Nixon agrees with Planned Parenthood's assertion that the department should not be represented by the attorneys Drummond hired to defend the department.  If Nixon gets his way, Planned Parenthood, the plaintiff, would be represented by pro-Planned Parenthood attorneys, and the department, the defendant, would be represented by another Planned Parenthood supporter: Nixon himself.

"Jay Nixon's attempt to manipulate the court by stacking the deck by assuring that both the defendant and plaintiff support Planned Parenthood is another example of his conflict of interest in this case," Drummond said.  "We are in the beginning stages of this case and already my attorneys have provided a more thorough brief, they were the only ones who provided an expert witness and they are working at no cost to the Missouri taxpayer.  Jay Nixon has received financial and political support from Planned Parenthood and he cannot effectively represent my department in our defense against Planned Parenthood.  Jay Nixon's attempt to manipulate the court is the definition of conflict of interest."

Drummond pointed out that Nixon's attorneys moved to represent the department a day after the first hearing on the case.  Drummond asked Nixon if it is his usual practice to file an entry of appearance after a hearing at which his client's interests are addressed. 

Drummond also noted that her attorneys filed a thorough and excellent defense of the department's interest in the case with a brief that cited 19 cases.  Additionally, Drummond's attorneys were the only ones who provided an expert witness.

A copy of Director Drummond’s letter is attached.