For Immediate Release:
January 10, 2008

Contact:
Nanci Gonder
Office of Public Information
573-751-6062

HEALTH DIRECTOR CALLS FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL NIXON TO "CEASE AND DESIST"
IN CLAIMS TO REPRESENT HER IN PLANNED PARENTHOOD CASE

Jefferson City – Jane Drummond, the Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services issued a letter to Attorney General Jay Nixon, who is pro-abortion, notifying him she will not consent to or recognize Nixon's representation of her in any case involving Planned Parenthood's opposition to requiring that abortion clinics meet basic safety standards that safeguard the health of Missouri women.

The letter was prompted by a recent filing by Nixon concurring with Planned Parenthood's request to strike Drummond's chosen counsel and an entry of appearance in November in which Nixon claimed to represent the director, against her wishes.  Drummond hired outside counsel to represent the department in August 2007

"About four months ago, I expressly declined your representation in cases filed by Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers seekingto prevent the department from regulating abortion facilities pursuant
to state law," Drummond wrote in the letter. "I continue to decline your representation because you have a clear conflict of interest arising from the fact that Planned Parenthood and attorneys representing abortion providers have helped finance your political career and provided you political support.

"How can the department trust you to zealously represent it and fight to regulate abortion providers when you have received money and political support from the very same abortion providers the law seeks
to regulate?" Drummond asked.

Drummond's letter outlined actions by Nixon that show he knows he does not represent her. Drummond said Nixon:

• Did not send Drummond a copy of the lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood in state court;
• Did not consult her about filing a motion to dismiss;
• Did not send her a copy of the motion to dismiss filed on November 23, 2007;
• Did not consult her about filing a designation naming his assistant as lead attorney on her behalf and an entry of appearance;
• Did not notify her of the motion Planned Parenthood filed on December 24, 2007, to strike her counsel;
• Did not consult her before filing a response in support of the December 24 motion.

"All of these actions clearly indicate you know you do not represent me," Drummond wrote. "In fact, if you were my attorney, these facts would plainly establish a violation of Rule 4-1.4, which requires a
lawyer to 'keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a
matter,'" Drummond said.

"I am once more asking you to cease and desist asserting that you are the lawyer for the department in the series of cases filed by Planned Parenthood related to abortion facility regulation," Drummond added.