Texas Planned Parenthood Clinic Files Temporary Injunction Against Former Director

November 5, 2009 — A Planned Parenthood facility in Bryan, Texas, has obtained a restraining order against its former director and an antiabortion-rights group in an effort to prevent them from releasing confidential information, KBTX reports. The court petition says Abby Johnson -- who resigned as the facility's director in October -- and the Coalition for Life are "restrained from disclosing to any person or entity any document, record file or information" that Johnson obtained from Planned Parenthood. The court documents claim Johnson was seen removing items from the facility, copied confidential files and met with the Coalition for Life to provide information about clinic workers. A Nov. 10 hearing has been scheduled to determine if an injunction needs to be made permanent, KBTX reports (Castillo, KBTX, 11/2).

Johnson, who says she resigned because witnessing an abortion changed her views on the issue, said she did not turn over any documents to the coalition "because I don't have any." Shawn Carney, director of the Coalition for Life, said the group plans to publicize Johnson's resignation but does not plan to expose confidential information on the clinic's employees or patients.

However, Planned Parenthood lawyers said they are concerned that Johnson may release patients' medical records, information about physicians who work at the clinic and the clinic's security details, the AP/Houston Chronicle reports. A spokesperson from the regional office said in a statement that Planned Parenthood "regret[s] being forced to turn to the courts to protect the safety and confidentiality of our clients and staff; however, in this instance it is absolutely necessary" (Watkins, AP/Houston Chronicle, 11/3).