Here are some very simple facts - 

• In 2001, the law firm Suddock and Schleuss joined forces with Planned Parenthood and the ACLU in a lawsuit against the State of Alaska regarding Medicaid payments for abortions.
• Fast forward 13 years and once again, Planned Parenthood and the ACLU are suing the State of Alaska over Medicaid payments for abortions.
• Tomorrow, February 3rd at 11am in the Nesbitt Courthouse, a Judge will be presiding over a hearing in which Planned Parenthood and the ACLU will be asking the judge for a temporary restraining order (TRO) that would shut down a regulation taking effect TODAY that defines in neutral medical terms when an abortion is "medically necessary" and by default, when that procedure is elective.
• The Judge's name? John Suddock. That's right. The same Suddock whose firm in 2001 was representing the plaintiffs in a case involving the very same issue.

You don't have to even be a first year law student to smell this one out.  Judge Suddock's impartiality is not in a place to be "reasonably questioned."  It is most firmly planted in the absolutely questioned column. The only acceptable solution is for Judge Suddock to recuse himself from the Planned Parenthood vs. William Streur (Commissioner of the State of AK DHSS) case immediately.

Any failure of the judge to do so will severely damage the public's confidence in the impartiality of the court system.

Nancy Meade, General Counsel, Alaska Court System
907-264-8264
[email protected]

Cynthia Lee, Clerk of the Trial Court
907-264-0671
[email protected]