Associated Press
March 15, 2002 19:35:00
WASHINGTON - The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has accused Rep. Scott McInnis of participating in a "new McCarthyism" by trying to link the animal-rights group to a prominent eco-terrorist group.
The Colorado Republican had challenged PETA for making a $1,500 contribution to the Earth Liberation Front, an underground group that, along with the Animal Liberation Front, the FBI calls the nation's most active domestic terrorist organization.
PETA attorney Jeffrey S. Kerr shot back a scathing 12-page letter on Thursday, claiming McInnis is collaborating with animal-exploitive corporations to try to defame the group.
However, Kerr said that last April the group did write a $1,500 check to the North American ELF press office to assist in the legal defense for the group's spokesman, Craig Rosebraugh, in free speech matters.
In written responses to questions from McInnis' committee, Rosebraugh said he did not recall receiving a check from PETA, although Kerr said the signature on the check appears to be his.
"PETA does not provide financial or any other assistance to any person or group for the purpose of so-called terrorist activities," Kerr wrote. "Any suggestion to the contrary is simply wrong, defamatory, and the product of lobbyists, public relations consultants, and other paid spokespeople for animal-exploitive industries."
But McInnis spokesman Josh Penry said, whether it went to the ELF press office or not, the bottom line is that PETA sent money to support a group that advocates eco-terrorism.
"The remarkable thing is these people seem surprised that they're getting called on the carpet for giving money to an eco-terrorist group," Penry said. "Here's a hint: Stop underwriting domestic terrorist groups and people will leave you alone."
The FBI estimates that, since 1996, the ALF and ELF have committed more than 600 criminal acts in the United States, resulting in more than $43 million in damage.
The attacks - called "direct actions" by the groups - range from spray-painting buildings and breaking windows to firebombing fur farms, research centers and a ski resort.
McInnis sent copies of his letter to PETA to IRS Commissioner Charles Rossotti, who was also sent copies of Kerr's response.
The Center for the Defense of Free Enterprise, a pro-business group that tracks criminal acts against business, also asked the IRS earlier this month to revoke PETA's tax-exempt status because of the ELF contribution.
Rosebraugh, who said he relayed anonymous messages to the media about ELF attacks from 1997 until last September, was subpoenaed to appear before McInnis' committee last month to testify about his knowledge of ELF activities. But Rosebraugh frustrated the committee by invoking his Fifth Amendment protection more than 50 times to avoid answering questions.
On Thursday, Rosebraugh responded to 57 written questions submitted by the committee.
In his responses, Rosebraugh said he believes destroying property is a legitimate means of bringing about policy changes.
Regarding a firebombing that destroyed $5.4 million horticulture building at the University of Washington, Rosebraugh said: "I do not find it disconcerting that ELF firebombed, without physically harming anyone, research into genetic modification of our natural world for profit. Genetic engineering is a threat to life on this planet."
And he said he is more concerned "with massive numbers of people dying at the hands of greedy capitalists," than the possibility that someone could be hurt in an ELF action.
When asked how he supported himself while serving as ELF spokesman, Rosebraugh responded: "Muffins."