DENVER—Prosecutors dropped a lawsuit claiming a Denver abortion opponent violated federal law by stopping cars and talking to drivers as they entered and left Denver’s Planned Parenthood center, his lawyer said Wednesday.
Attorney Peter Breen said the settlement is “a total victory” for his client, Kenneth Scott.
In exchange, Scott agreed not to seek compensation from the federal government for his legal expenses.
Federal prosecutors sued Scott and his wife, Jo Ann, in June under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. The suit alleged they used force and physical obstruction to intimidate or interfere with people seeking reproductive health services at Planned Parenthood.
The law makes it illegal to block or attempt to block access to clinics.
In October, Jo Ann Scott agreed to pay $750 each to two women to settle the suit against her.
Breen called the lawsuit against Kenneth Scott a misuse of the law.
“There were no allegation of physical violence, there was no allegation of trespassing,” Breen said. “He was merely offering assistance to men and women who were entering Planned Parenthood.”
Breen said Scott “absolutely” plans to resume his actions.
Monica McCafferty, a spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood of Denver, called the decision disappointing.
“We do face challenges when it comes to demonstrators and protesters,” she said. “We do hope if this draws some attention to this issue, we could see that as a positive.”
Charles Miller, spokesman for the Justice Department in Washington, said no one was available for comment after business hours Wednesday.
In January, U.S. District Judge Philip Brimmer denied prosecutors’ request for a preliminary injunction against Kenneth Scott.
Prosecutors had argued that Scott made it “unreasonably difficult” for patients and employees to get to the clinic and that the law required him be at least 25 feet away from the entrance, in this case a driveway leading to the clinic.
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