The state Attorney General’s Office did not find any evidence whatsoever to support the allegations that Planned Parenthood of Washington is operating in violation of state or federal law.
Certain members of the State House of Representatives, including State Rep. Mark Hargrove, R-Covington, and the State Senate sent letters to the Attorney General in July requesting an investigation after reports of alleged trafficking of human body parts by affiliates of Planned Parenthood, according to a media release on Monday from the state Attorney General’s Office.
In his response, Attorney General Bob Ferguson wrote:
“Unfounded allegations against Planned Parenthood are troubling. They seek to discredit the organization and divert resources away from patient services, making it more difficult for Washington women to exercise their constitutional rights.
“We conducted a review and found no evidence of any violations and no basis for further review.”
Ferguson said in his letter that Planned Parenthood has four affiliates that operate 32 health centers (including one in Kent) providing health care services in Washington state. These services, primarily to women, include breast exams, cancer screenings, sexually transmitted disease testing and treatment, family planning services,and abortion services.
He added there is no information whatsoever to suggest that any Planned Parenthood clinics in the state are violating Washington’s ban on partial-birth abortion.
Thirty-four state House representatives signed a letter in July to the Attorney General’s Office to investigate. Hargrove, whose district 47th District includes Kent, was one of those who signed the letter to Ferguson.
The letter included the following statement:
“Regardless of personal views of legalized abortion, a civilized society cannot tolerate unethical medical practices such as the harvesting of human organs for monetary gain.”
Ten state senators signed a similar letter. None of the senators represent the Kent area.
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