Washington AG drops investigation into pro-life pregnancy centers

Ferguson initially claimed that his investigation had not harmed either of the pregnancy centers, but one clinic proved that it lost insurance coverage over the investigation, and was forced to pay seven times more for replacement coverage.

By Misty Severi

Published: May 28, 2024 5:38pm

Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson on Tuesday officially closed an investigation into two faith-based pro-life pregnancy centers, six months after attorneys from Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) brought a lawsuit against the state.

State officials in New Jersey and Washington were sued after they each launched supposedly illegal investigations into pro-life centers. Both investigations were premised on each state's consumer fraud laws, according to the ADF.

Ferguson sent a letter to lawyers representing ADF on Tuesday, notifying them that his office was officially closing down its investigation. Ferguson initially claimed that his investigation had not harmed either of the pregnancy centers, but one clinic proved that it lost insurance coverage over the investigation and paid seven times more for replacement coverage.

"As you are aware, the Consumer Protection Division (the Division) does not issue formal notice to a target when it closes an investigation," Ferguson's office said in the letter. "We are making an exception in this instance to provide your clients with a statement they can offer to their insurer, which will provide certainty as to the status of this investigation."

Lawyers for the ADF said they were "pleased" that the state attorney general had decided to close down his investigation into Obria Group and Obria Medical Clinics PNW.

"No one should be investigated by the government simply because they hold views the government doesn’t like. We’re pleased Washington’s attorney general has ceased his unlawful investigation into our clients, and that Obria Group and Obria Medical Clinics PNW will be free to continue their life-saving work in the community,” ADF Senior Counsel Lincoln Wilson said in a statement. “We look forward to a ruling from the court confirming that the attorney general unlawfully targeted and harassed these clinics because of their pro-life stance."

The lawsuit against New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin claimed Platkin falsely stated in a "consumer alert" that the First Choice Women's Resource Centers provide "false or misleading information" about its centers' services, ultrasounds and reproductive healthcare.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just the News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.