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An Arkansas man sued a Texas abortion provider on Monday in what is believed to be the first lawsuit since the state’s restrictive abortion law was enacted.
The man, Oscar Stilley, a former lawyer who was convicted of federal tax evasion in 2009, sued Dr Alan Braid, a Texas doctor who publicly admitted to performing an illegal abortion under the new law, known as SB 8.
The law, which the Supreme Court refused to prevent from coming into force this month, includes a provision that allows private citizens to sue abortion providers and awards them $ 10,000 if they are successful.
Braid, who provides abortion care in San Antonio, wrote in a Washington Post op-ed on Saturday that he violated the new law on the morning of September 6.
Braid wrote that he “proposed an abortion to a woman who, although still in her first trimester, was beyond the new state limit,” adding: “I acted because I had a duty of care to this patient, as I do to all patients, and because she has a fundamental right to receive this care.
“I fully understood that there could be legal consequences – but I wanted to make sure that Texas didn’t get away with its attempt to prevent this blatantly unconstitutional law from being tested,” he said. writing.
In 2009, Stilley was convicted of one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and two counts of tax evasion. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison and is finishing his sentence in house arrest, according to the file.
In the lawsuit, Stilley poses as a former “struck and disgraced” lawyer while describing the charges he was convicted of “totally fraudulent” on.
Stilley claimed he called Braid’s office on Monday and asked if Braid “would repent of his ideology as well as his actions”, but that he was not able “to get such a deal. despite respectful efforts, “according to the lawsuit.
Stilley, who is representing himself, asks for $ 100,000 or at least the minimum of $ 10,000 required by Texas law for a successful trial.
Braid did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Over the weekend, the Center for Reproductive Rights released a statement pledging to defend it against lawsuits.
“Dr Braid has courageously stood up against this blatantly unconstitutional law. We stand ready to defend him against the lawsuits that SB 8 threatens to unleash against those who provide or support access to constitutionally protected abortion care. “Nancy Northup, group president and CEO, said in the statement.
“For more than two weeks this unacceptable law has been in force, hurting many Texans and falling hardest on those struggling to make ends meet and people of color, who already face barriers to care. It is high time for a court to step in and block it, “she said.
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