Virginia Planned Parenthood Board Members Resign Over Mismanagement 
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
December 1, 2005
Charlottesville, VA (LifeNews.com) — Planned Parenthood has opened a new multimillion dollar abortion business in this community, but members of the local board of directors are resigning in mass because of concerns about mismanagement and poor leadership.
Shortly after the abortion business opened the doors to its new Herbert C. Jones, Jr. Reproductive Health and Education Center, pro-life advocates began protesting and filed a lawsuit saying the new facility violates local zoning laws.
But those challenges are nothing compared to the ones board members say the abortion business is facing, according to a report in The Hook magazine.
At least four members of the board have resigned and issued a seven-page no confidence statement, The Hook obtained, which questions the leadership of president and CEO David Nova.
The October 10 memo describes the situation at the abortion business as "deteriorating" and its funding base in the community "eroding." The statement calls Planned Parenthood’s programs "dysfunctional" and the abortion facility a "failing business."
It notes that several major fundraising pledges have been withdrawn and other major donors are right behind them.
Nova told The Hook he disputes the claims the resigning board members made.
"I think if the materials in that document were true, I would be no longer working for Planned Parenthood," says Nova.
The magazine also reports that a local attorney who is the Treasurer for the abortion business came to Nova’s defense.
"I know there were a fair number of inaccuracies [in the statement]," says Al Knighton. "I think those four board members were acting in good faith. I think they were misguided."
The statement says the abortion business depends too much on donations because it charges too little for its services, including abortions, but Nova claims financial numbers from a recent audit dispute that claim.
He contends an audit showed donations accounting for just 1.7 percent of Planned Parenthood’s revenue and says income from services is up 15 percent.
Nova did admit he knows of some large donors who are no longer supporting the abortion business. Knighton also admitted the abortion business is having some financial troubles.
"I wouldn’t say Planned Parenthood is having an easy time," he says. "These are tough times. We will survive."
Janet Miller is one of those resigning and she talked with The Hook about her decision and the memo.
"It’s making a statement to the board– ‘You need to pay attention.’"
