Koster to investigate Planned Parenthood

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — After more than a week of Republican lawmakers calling for various hearings and investigations, Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced he’s formally opened an investigation into whether Planned Parenthood violated any state law in connection with their abortion services.

“Regardless of whether one is pro-life or pro-choice, the questions raised by these videos require careful review.” Koster said in a brief statement. “My office will investigate whether the practices described have occurred within our state and whether Missouri law has been violated.”

The announcement comes following the release of a hidden-camera video from the anti-abortion activist group, The Center for Medical Progress. The video appears to show Deborah Nucatola, a senior director of medical research for Planned Parenthood, explain that the organization sometimes sells fetal tissue to various medical research labs in exchange for a fee.

Planned Parenthood officials say the video is heavily edited, deceptive, and misrepresents the organization’s actual practice of donating fetal tissue for legal medical research.

Last week, Sen. Kurt Schaefer — a Columbia Republican and 2016 candidate for Attorney General — sent a letter asking Koster to investigate whether any illegal practices were taking place in Missouri. Other lawmakers, like Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, called on Missouri legislators to hold hearings on whether or not state law was violated. House Reps. Andrew Koenig and Diane Franklin, both Republicans, have already promised joint investigative hearings.

Koster’s office did not provide details on how long the investigation would take.