“This is clearly a case of discrimination and harassment,” said Vincent McCarthy, Senior Counsel of the ACLJ, which represents Expectant Mother Care. “The subpoena is designed to intimidate our client and stifle their pro-life message. It is disappointing to see the state’s top law enforcement officer target counseling centers in an attempt to censor and silent their message. The constitution guarantees our client First Amendment protections to communicate with women and to let them know there are alternatives to abortion. This investigation is an attempt to eliminate the pro-life message and clearly violates the constitution. We will challenge the subpoena aggressively in court.”

The ACLJ is serving as lead counsel in representing Expectant Mother Care, one of five organizations in New York City that has been subpoenaed by the state attorney general’s office. The subpoena demands the names of staff and their credentials, training materials and copies of all policies and procedures pertaining to client referrals by February 1st.

McCarthy said Expectant Mother Care has done nothing wrong.

“Our client has complied with all state and federal laws regarding the operation of a counseling center,” said McCarthy. “This issue is much more than just a medical one – it involves an often traumatic decision for women who are pregnant. Our client is permitted to convey a message to women that there are alternatives to abortion. Counseling is constitutionally protected speech and it is wrong to single out these centers and attempt to eliminate the pro-life message.”

McCarthy said the ACLJ would challenge the subpoena in court and defend the Expectant Mother Care center as the investigation continues.

The American Center for Law and Justice, an international public interest law firm, specializes in constitutional law and litigation involving the issue of life. The ACLJ is headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA and its web site address is www.aclj.org