StemExpress, whose role in the sale of aborted baby parts was exposed by undercover videos in 2015, has dropped its lawsuit against the Center for Medical Progress (CMP), the organization that produced those videos, 

In late July, 2015, StemExpress filed a civil suit against CMP alleging invasion of privacy, receipt of stolen property, conversion, fraudulent inducement of contract, intentional interference with contract, breach of contract and unfair competition.

Further, StemExpress attempted to cover up their potentially illegal practices and close ties to Planned Parenthood by seeking what CMP called “an unconstitutional prior restraint on speech with a preliminary injunction gag order” to prevent the release of an undercover video of StemExpress’ founder and CEO Cate Dyer. The undercover video showed Dyer discussing procurement of aborted fetal tissue and stating that the process should be “profitable” for abortion clinics.

In August, 2015, the judge denied StemExpress’ request for a gag order and CMP released the video. CMP was then approached by attorneys for StemExpress regarding a possible settlement for the lawsuit, but no settlement was reached.

According to CMP, StemExpress, Planned Parenthood Mar Monte and Planned Parenthood Federation of America have been referred to the FBI and U.S. Department of Justice for criminal prosecution by the Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Energy & Commerce Committee’s Select Investigative Panel. Federal law prohibits the sale or purchase of human fetal tissue, a crime punishable by a fine of up to $500,000 or up to 10 years in prison (42 USC 289g-2).

“StemExpress was the first of Planned Parenthood’s accomplices to file a retaliatory lawsuit against citizen journalists and the first to seek an unconstitutional prior restraint on our First Amendment rights to speak and publish,” said CMP founder David Daleiden. “Now, the video is out for all the world to see, StemExpress faces criminal referral in multiple jurisdictions, and they are walking away from their own lawsuit empty-handed.”

Daleiden added, “StemExpress’ surrender sends an unmistakable message to Planned Parenthood, the National Abortion Federation, and all their political cronies who would dare to attack the First Amendment to cover up their crimes.”