Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood: 'Vaccinations can and do cause autism'

Nico LaHood speaks to the Express-News Editorial Board on Dec. 29, 2014. Nico LaHood speaks to the Express-News Editorial Board on Dec. 29, 2014. Photo: Lisa Krantz /San Antonio Express-News Photo: Lisa Krantz /San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 59 Caption Close Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood: 'Vaccinations can and do cause autism' 1 / 59 Back to Gallery

SAN ANTONIO — Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood on Sunday screened a controversial documentary, “Vaxxed: From Cover-Up to Catastrophe,” linking childhood vaccines to autism at a local movie theater, according to a source who received an invitation.

Elected in 2014, LaHood also was videotaped sitting at his desk in his county office making a statement on the controversial topic.

“I’m Nico LaHood,” he said. “I’m the criminal district attorney in San Antonio, Texas. I’m here to tell you that vaccines can and do cause autism.”

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The next shot declares that “Niko’s (sic) Story” is “coming” on Tuesday, followed by a plug for the Vaxxed documentary.

LaHood acknowledged in an interview Monday that "this is not a politically correct opinion."

“We had a very normally developed child, meeting all the marks as a child – walking, eye contact … and after his 18-month vaccination we had a very different child," LaHood said. "And our story is not alone. I mean, there’s thousands of parents out there that have the same story. So my opinions are just my opinions as a daddy, as a husband who happens to be the DA.”

The “Autism Media Channel” posted the video to Facebook on Friday.

There is no scientific evidence that links vaccines to autism, a finding confirmed by numerous studies and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. LaHood’s involvement has upset some advocates, including Fiona O’Leary, a mother of autistic children who posted a reaction on Facebook.

MORE: Before defending a client, LaHood hired the prosecutors

“I’m really, really outraged by this comment actually because we’re used to hearing the quacks and the discredited doctors terrifying parents,” O’Leary said. “But now, we have a professional, a criminal district attorney, making these statements. This man was in his office when he made this statement, presenting under his professional title as a criminal district attorney.”

“It’s a reckless statement, and I think he should issue a public apology,” she said.

RELATED: LaHood did not disclose business interest

Read more on this controversial issue in Tuesday's print edition or on ExpressNews.com

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bchasnoff@express-news.net

Twitter: @bchasnoff