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City of Aurora Initiates External Investigation Into Planned Parenthood's Deceptive Building Permit Applications

Applications as late as March, 2007 state that tenant is "Unknown at this time"

By Meg Jalsevac

AURORA, Illinos, September 12, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The proposed Planned Parenthood clinic being built in the city of Aurora, Ill has been peacefully opposed by dedicated pro-lifers that have garnered national attention with their rallies and round the clock vigils in an effort to halt the building process.  However, Planned Parenthood officials must now also wade through possible legal conflict as the city searches for a new attorney to examine the veracity of Planned Parenthood's building permit applications.

According to CitizenLink.org, it was recently discovered that the previous city attorney had connections to the external legal counsel retained by the city.  It was determined that the connections constituted a conflict of interest and the attorney was discharged.

As previously reported by LifeSiteNews.com, the authenticity of the information provided by Planned Parenthood on the building permits, and supplied in city planning meetings, is being called into question after several questionable application details were uncovered. 

The permit applications were submitted in the name of Gemini Office Development and the signage at the building site read "Gemini Health Center."   While the permit application stated, as late as March 22, 2007, that the tenant was "Unknown at this time," the Gemini company is a limited liability corporation owned by Planned Parenthood and used to conceal Planned Parenthood's identity when establishing a new facility. In an article in the LA Times, Steve Trombley, president and chief executive of the Chicago-area Planned Parenthood affiliate was quoted saying that "It should be evident . . . why we did that.  This land was zoned for medical services. The city didn't ask what type of medical services."

Trombley insists that Planned Parenthood officials did nothing illegal throughout the application process.  However, Mayor Tom Weisner was quoted, "I haven't seen documentation on our end or in the queries that says 'Planned Parenthood' on it."

The new clinic is set to open on September 18 as the largest abortion clinic in the country but Mayor Weisner reportedly said that he would encourage public officials to deny the necessary occupancy permits to Planned Parenthood if the investigation into the permits is not complete at that time. 

As previously reported by LifeSiteNews.com, Eric Scheidler, of the organization Fox Valley Families Against Planned Parenthood (FVFAPP,) has been heading up efforts to protest the opening of the abortion clinic. 

Scheidler spoke with LifeSiteNews.com and expressed his appreciation for the city's efforts to investigate the deceptive permit applications and was hopeful that the investigation would be the first step in expelling Planned Parenthood from the Aurora community.

"I am pleased with the city stepping up and launching a thorough investigation into Planned Parenthood's dealing with the city of Aurora. I believe the city was defrauded by Planned Parenthood and the ultimately appropriate consequence would be to have the permits revoked and them not to be allowed to be occupy this building now or ever."

Scheidler admitted that the city has, at times, been "capricious" with their treatment of the pro-lifers participating in the protests, but concluded "I am hopeful that the mayor will be above board and honest with us and really follow through on this investigation." 

FVFAPP has scheduled a Jericho March (Joshua 6: 1-20) for every evening this week, where peaceful protesters will march the 1.25 miles around the block of the Planned Parenthood building.  The final march will be on Saturday, September 9th and will include a march that will go around the block seven times.  (See the website at: http://familiesagainstplannedparenthood.org...)

Planned Parenthood is also facing possible legal action brought by the Thomas More Society after a letter and public advertisement written by Planned Parenthood officials specifically libeled Joe Scheidler, Eric Scheidler and the Fox Valley Families Against Planned Parenthood.

Calls to the city of Aurora's Director of Building & Permits, the office of the City Aldermen, and the office of the Mayor were not returned by press time.

Read Previous LifeSiteNews.com Coverage:

Residents Say Planned Parenthood Lied on Giant Abortion Mill Application - City Investigates
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/aug/07082908.html

Largest Ever Planned Parenthood Abortion Mill Threatens to Open Near Chicago
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/aug/07082209.html

Chicago Planned Parenthood Faces Lawsuit Over Libelous Ad
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/sep/07091103.html

Chicago Pro-Lifers Launch Massive Effort to Stop New Abortion Clinic from Opening - 40 Day Vigil
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/aug/07081801.html

Residents Say Planned Parenthood Lied on Giant Abortion Mill Application - City Investigates
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/aug/07082908.html

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