Washington, DC (August 6, 2008) - Attorneys at law firm Venable LLP representing Dr. Bruce Ivins issued the following statement responding to a press conference convened by the U.S. Department of Justice on August 6 to discuss the evidence suggesting that Dr. Ivins was responsible for the anthrax attacks of 2001.
"Today is a heart breaking day for both the Ivins family as well as the victims and the families of the victims of the 2001 anthrax attacks.
What the public demanded today was concrete evidence. Instead, it was deluged with everything but. The government released search warrants - investigative tools designed to discover evidence, not to serve as evidence and treated these warrants as smoking guns. The government's press conference was an orchestrated dance of carefully worded statements, heaps of innuendo and a staggering lack of real evidence - all contorted to create the illusion of guilt by Dr. Ivins.
The government would have the American people believe that after seven years and more than $15 million of taxpayer money, they have found the individual responsible for the heinous attacks of the fall of 2001. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
In truth, Bruce Ivins was a devoted husband and father who worked for more than 30 years to defend his nation and its soldiers against the terrible effects of Anthrax. The statements of scientists and co-workers at Ft. Detrick are uniform in their support of Dr. Ivins, and that has been gratifying to his family. Just today, we were privileged to attend the memorial service for Dr. Ivins held at Ft. Detrick, MD. It was attended by hundreds of soldiers, scientists, and family members. Dr. Ivins was characterized by his commanding officer for his 'openness, sharing, humor and curiosity' and was lauded for the central role he has played in the protection of the American soldier. No one who attended that service could believe that Dr. Ivins committed any crime."
Paul F. Kemp
Thomas M. DeGonia
Venable LLP
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