Paul Offit's Lies: I got me a lawyer.

By J.B. Handley

There's probably not a lawyer on the planet who wouldn't agree that blogging publicly about a legal proceeding is a bad idea. And, they’d probably be right.

But, Paul Offit is a lying jerk and offends our entire community, so I wanted to bring you along for the ride. Consider this my "public legal journal."

Moreover, I have nothing to hide. Offit lied blatantly in his book, and I'd like a little justice. He did it to try and make me look bad. I think he succeeded, and he had to lie to make it happen. That makes me unhappy. And, it's a pattern from him that we have seen for a long time on many issues related to vaccines and autism.

Someone needs to stand up to this jerk, and I'm happy to do it. As you may have figured out, it's not often I back down from a fight.

Anyway, I found me a great attorney who eats nails for breakfast and believes in truth. He'll remain nameless for now because he didn't sign up to be part of this public journal, but here's a copy of the letter we sent, certified mail, to Dr. Proffit himself and Columbia University Press:

Paul A. Offit, M.D.
c/o Columbia University Press
61 West 62nd Street
New York, NY 10023

Re: Autism's False Prophets: Bad Science, Risky Medicine, and the Search for a Cure by Paul A. Offit, M.D.

Gentlemen:

I represent J.B. Handley, who is referred in the book Autism's False Prophets: Bad Science, Risky Medicine, and the Search for a Cure. The conversation reported at page 143 of the book never occurred. The writing that the author refers to was in a different time and place.

The creation of that conversation and the juxtaposition of that conversation with Mr. Handley's writing are false, libelous and damaging.

Within ten days you must advise me that the author will write a written apology to Mr. Handley and that you will take out all reference to that conversation in any future printings, or we will explore our legal alternative.

Very truly yours,

(JB's lawyer)

* * *

So, there you go. First shot fired. As we all know, the right thing to do is to apologize and make the change to the book. Offit lied. He screwed up in trying a little too hard to make me look bad. He completely fictionalized an exchange that never happened. And, I can prove it. If he does me that simple justice, I'll move on, even though I think damaging my reputation should include compensation.

Oh, and did I mention I found the Rescue Angel mom? The one who was getting mudslinged and prompted my post at EOH that Offit fictionalized into an exchange with Kathleen Seidel? Well, I did. She read my last post, and she found me. The power of AoA!

Did I also mention I already got the response from Offit's lawyer to the above letter? I did. And, it's a doozy. It wasn't very polite nor was it an offer to do the right thing.

I will be printing the whole letter from Offit's attorney on AoA next week.

Stay tuned. (Hey, we're trying to create readership here, after all!)

J.B. Handley is co-founder of Generation Rescue and contributor to Age of Autism.

Comments

[sdtech]

JB:

Senator Grassley might like to know about this person and his potential conflicts of interest in promoting vaccines.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/22/health/22radio.html

[Patricia Conley]

I have an Austic greatgrandaughter who has Aspergers.Her dad works for a doctor as an Physicans Assitant.Therefore 1. there's nothing wrong with her or 2. if there is, the vacines didn't do it! (She didn't talk until she was 3.) I wonder how many of these idiots have austic children?
pjc Castle Rock,CO.

[Richard]

Villains hate exposure to the truth if you bring this one out in the open he will be screeching in pain before very long.

[Dana Read]

Thank you for continuing to fight this fight. I support you 1000%!!!!!

[Allie90]

Indeed a great sip of caffeine to read your decision to call Offit on his web of lies.
It would be great to depose DR Offit and his Ped's DR wife Bonnie as well.

Dr Bonnie Offit states she stays up late reading the autism web sites. (I cannot believe there could be two ticks that would
be under the same roof.)

Since the book is based on many parts a lie; it really should be pulled from circulation. Its a matter of public safety!

Here's the article from Newsweek folks - on DR Profit feel free to add your comments too

http://www.newsweek.com/id/165644

Comments link:

http://www.newsweek.com/id/165644/output/comments

[L Land]

Coming soon on the Today Show:

Dr. S. talks with Dr. O about the "baseless" lawsuit he is facing from those "money grubbing" parents that "terrorize" the "poor doctor".

[julia]

Quintessential JB.
Soo perfect.
Do keep us posted.
Love to the family..
xo
Julia

[Tracy Ruggiero]

I cannot wait to read more! GO GET EM!

[Meg N]

JB,
You've got some cheerleaders in the Naughton home!!!
Thank you for making this creep put his money where his mouth is. He needs to be held accountable for his ridiculous behavior atleast on some level.
Go get 'em JB!!

[jill r]

thanks J.B.
can't wait to see the response!

[Monica]

Thank you Thank you Thank you, JB!!!!!

Just tonight, I was doing some light reading from Google Scholar, and came across this-
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18762240

After I read the summary, I sat and cried. How much longer can the truth be ignored? I immediately thought of Offit and his offensive book, and wanted to scream.

According to this study, and the package insert to Rotateq, his vaccine should not even be used in autistic children!

I came here just to not feel so alone in this craziness and this has definitely put a smile back on my face.

Good luck JB, can't wait to read the response!

[Julie Swenson]

Can I just say, J.B., that you kick ass. Woot!!

[Julie Swenson]

"Paul Offit is a lying jerk and offends our entire community,"

Ok , I am TOTALLY putting this on a t-shirt. It will be a great conversation starter ;) And then I can launch into what a jerk he really is.

[Nora]

Why my grandson? Why are there so many children suffering. Simple answer is corporate greed. JB is like David against Goliath. He will be throwing stones against this mammoth pharmaceutical industry. We need a grassroot effort involving a door to door effort to get out the word. The stories of all the suffering needs to be spread by the Roots. We have got to stop this epedemic. That means no more internet campaigning only. We need to be foot soldiers and JB you need to lead us. Don't waste your time with this SOB, he is just a mouth piece. Lets go for the powers that be and stop the suffering of the children. No more walking on Washington. Lets organize like a religion and walk on our towns and communities. We have to UNITE across this country and abroad.

[Kim Mack Rosenberg]

You go JB! Fiction should not be allowed to be passed off as fact in an effort to deceive the American people (and the world). Offit should be held accountable and it is great that you are taking him on. Keep fighting the good fight!

[Pamela]

J.B. far be it from me to tell you what to do with the judgement when you win but just think what it would do to Offit if you gave some portion of that judgement, oh to say.....Generation Rescue or Austism Research Institute or any of the other worthy Autism Advocacy Groups.

Wouldn't that just be sweet irony.

[jen]

Thankyou thankyou thankyou. I appreciate so much that you are doing this. Sometimes we all must feel like we are the only ones writing letters, sending emails, calling people or attending meetings to have our voice heard and demand some accountability for our children. (whether it's about safety of vaccines, fair pay for day care workers, rent controls so our doctors can practice medicine reasonably etc.). You really are making a difference!!! Good luck!!

[Randy]

"That rota patent has paid for more lawyers than the anyone Offit slanders could ever dream of being able to afford- until now."

According to Louise Kuo Habakus (commenting on the AoA "Drama Queen" posting here http://www.ageofautism.com/2008/11/autisms-biggest.html) for Dr Offit it was like "winning the lottery".

I'm no lawyer, but what if the actual rota patent royalties were brought into evidence - the relevance being that any threat to these rather significant financial interests could be a possible motive for the ensuing actions (i.e. slander). Pure speculation here, but I wonder how much of a dent that would put into claims of "random luck", objectivity, transparency, etc. (given the reported $182 million paid for the (future) royalties on that vaccine, I'm guessing this is a staggering amount).

[John]

I always thought that the ND's queen of cut and paste was his ghost writer.

Maybe now we find out?

[Keith]

Maybe Offit will have to get bodyguards to protect himself from his own slander.

Anyone got odds on him passing the buck to Siedel?