Spitzer's office calls Victor Birthright 'cooperative'
The state attorney general says some of the charity's other offices may have misled pregnant women.
VICTOR - The Victor branch of Birthright, a worldwide charity that helps women through crisis pregnancies, is negotiating with the state attorney general's office to settle questions about how it runs its center at 221 S. High St.
"Victor has been extremely cooperative," said Darren Dopp, spokesman for Attorney General Eliot Spitzer. "We hope to resolve this without court intervention."
Megan Jones, volunteer director for Birthright of Victor, said yesterday her office "is confident it has complied with the laws of New York state and is cooperating fully with the state attorney general's office to resolve any issues."
Birthright of Victor is one of about 100 pregnancy crisis centers in the state under investigation for false advertising and giving medical advice, said Dopp.
He added that the Victor site was targeted because of "an issue of how the center represented itself to women off the street." He declined to give details.
He said Spitzer's office is enforcing court orders established in 1987 and 1995 that stated the independent organizations have a right to counsel women against abortions, but may not attract women under false pretenses or offer medical services or advice.
Several crisis pregnancy centers downstate were found to be advertising abortion services, he said, and supplying medical advice and equipment. That is not the case in Victor, he added.
Birthright is an independent, charitable organization that provides free, confidential services to women distressed by unplanned pregnancy. It offers information through telephone hotlines and at crisis centers. It helps women meet legal, medical, financial and housing needs.
According to Birthright's Web site, it provides free pregnancy tests, friendship and emotional support and referrals for help from legal, medical and social services agencies.
It is not affiliated with any religious or political group, according to its Web site, and does not refer to abortion.
The Toronto-headquartered organization operates 500 chapters worldwide, with 450 in the United States.
Dopp said he is "hopeful of a resolution in Victor in a few weeks."
The investigation of numerous crisis centers across that state is an "ongoing matter," he added.
©Daily Messenger 2002
