Clinic opponents file libel suit
Planned Parenthood opponents filed a libel lawsuit Monday, alleging a clinic official accused them of advocating violence and having a history of violence and criminal activity.
The suit, filed in Kane County District Court against Gemini Office Development and Steve Trombley, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood/Chicago Area, will seek maximum damages on behalf of the Aurora protesters, including 19 individuals.
On Sept. 5, Trombley sent a letter to city aldermen as part of a public relations campaign to build support for the clinic. A version of that message also appeared as an ad in area newspapers.
The letter said while officials complied with all legal public disclosures in their permit applications, the project was initially kept quiet because they didn't want their workers harassed.
The suit alleges Trombley accused protesters in the letter of having "a well-documented history of violence and criminal activity" and "advocating violence against both persons and property as well as other related criminal activity."
Such statements are maliciously false and libelous, the suit claims.
"Trombley and Planned Parenthood need to be held accountable for the outrageous statements they made both to Aurora officials and the public," said attorney Tom Brejcha, chief counsel of the Thomas More Society, which filed on behalf of the Pro-Life Action League.
"You cannot accuse the peaceful citizens of Aurora of violent crimes and advocating violence simply because you disagree with their message," he said in a statement.
Court rules prohibit asking for large monetary claims in initial complaints, but Pro-Life Action League supporters say they "would be happy to take Planned Parenthood's $7.5 million building off its hands in lieu of damages."
Trombley said Monday he has not yet been served with the complaint, but "we see no basis for this lawsuit."