Injunction lifted
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge O’Donnell rescinds her restraining order barring CMP from releasing any videos showing current or former StemExpress employees, saying CMP has First Amendment rights to release videos it covertly took of StemExpress executives talking about buying aborted baby tissue from Planned Parenthood. However she says that, even though they cannot be prevented from releasing the video, it is likely that StemExpress will prevail in its lawsuit claiming its privacy was violated.
Court issues restraining order
The Los Angeles Superior Court issues a temporary restraining order prohibiting the Center for Medical Progress from releasing any video of three high-ranking StemExpress officials. Planned Parenthood provides StemExpress with fetal tissue. Center for Medical Progress leader:
StemExpress was using meritless litigation to cover up an illegal baby parts trade. The Center for Medical Progress follows all applicable laws in the course of our investigative journalism work.
A spokesman for StemExpress is:
grateful its rights have been vindicated in a court of law.
California Investigates videomakers
California Attorney General Harris announces a review of two undercover videos made by the Center for Medical Progress to discredit Planned Parenthood. The investigation is made at the request of four Democratic Congressmen. Harris’ office regulates charitable organizations and will use its authority to determine whether any violations were made by the Center in its creation of the videos.
We will carefully review the allegations raised in your letter to determine whether there were any violations of California law.