TRENTON, NJ – In a fiery statement released on August 28, 2024, Assemblyman Paul Kanitra called for an investigation into New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin, accusing him of using his office to unfairly target pregnancy resource centers in collaboration with Planned Parenthood.
Kanitra’s demand follows revelations from an open public records request showing that Platkin’s office worked closely with Planned Parenthood to issue a consumer alert against these centers in December 2022.
“Crisis Pregnancy Centers try to convince pregnant people not to have abortions. CPCs may appear to be reproductive health care clinics, but they do not provide abortion care or provide referrals for abortion care, contraception, or other reproductive health care,” the bulletin from the AG’s office read.
The alert warned that pregnancy resource centers, often known as crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs), allegedly mislead women seeking comprehensive reproductive health care. It encouraged consumers to file complaints against these centers for fraud and directed them to Planned Parenthood for abortion services.
The Attorney General’s Office used the alert to sway women from being talked out of abortions and recommended they do their own research to find an abortion provider, casting doubt on the Crisis Pregnancy Center..
“Your right to an abortion is protected in New Jersey. You have the right to truthful, unbiased, and medically accurate health information about abortion care and where to access such care. If you are pregnant, consult with a licensed health care provider to understand your options for abortion care and other reproductive health care services,” the alert read.
Kanitra, a vocal critic of Platkin, argued that the Attorney General’s actions are part of a broader effort to marginalize any alternatives to abortion.
“Platkin and his allies at Planned Parenthood are pushing an agenda where the only ‘choice’ for women facing unplanned pregnancies is abortion,” Kanitra said. “This isn’t about protecting women—it’s about stifling any option that doesn’t align with their pro-abortion stance.”
Further fueling the controversy, Platkin’s office issued a subpoena to First Choice Women’s Resource Centers, a nonprofit organization that provides alternatives to abortion. The subpoena demands records dating back over a decade, a move that representatives from the center say is an excessive burden intended to cripple their operations.
The Alliance Defending Freedom, a legal advocacy group, criticized Platkin’s actions, stating that he has yet to provide any concrete evidence of wrongdoing to justify the subpoena. Kanitra echoed this sentiment, accusing Platkin of using legal tactics to silence organizations that do not offer abortion services, comparing the situation to a restaurant chain being criticized for not serving a particular item.
New Jersey is home to more than 50 crisis pregnancy centers, many of which are affiliated with religious organizations. A 2022 report highlighted the significant contributions of these centers, which provided over $3.5 million in services and support to 23,000 clients.
In contrast, New Jersey also hosts 41 abortion clinics, performing nearly 49,000 abortions in 2020 alone. The state ranks sixth in the nation for the number of abortions performed, and reports suggest the rate is rising.
Kanitra’s call for an investigation into Platkin’s motives reflects growing tensions between pro-life advocates and state officials in New Jersey, a state known for its permissive abortion laws. Kanitra is urging the state legislature or federal authorities to step in, arguing that if Platkin’s actions are not based on factual evidence, he should retract the consumer alert and drop the subpoena immediately.
The controversy underscores the ongoing national debate over reproductive rights, with New Jersey emerging as a key battleground. As this issue unfolds, it is likely to fuel further debate and legal challenges on both sides.
The Attorney General’s Office has not yet issued a response to this claim.
