P R E S S R E L E A S E FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: October 13, 2005 Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania Court Case: Stephen Barrett, M.D. vs. Tedd Koren, D.C. and Koren Publications, Inc. Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County for the State of Pennsylvania Court Case No.: 2002-C-1837 Contact: Carlos F. Negrete, Esq. LAW OFFICES OF CARLOS F. NEGRETE San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 Phone: 949.493.8115 Fax: 949.493.8170 email: _mediarelations@healthfreedomlaw.com_ (mailto:cnegrete@healthfreedomlaw.com) _mediarelations@negretelaw.com_ (mailto:cnegrete@negretelaw.com) URL: _www.healthfreedomlaw.com_ (http://www.healthfreedomlaw.com/) _www.negretelaw.com_ (http://www.negretelaw.com/) Dr. Tedd Koren, DC. Phone: 800.537.3001 267.498.0071 Fax: 267.498.0078 email: _tkoren@korenpublications.com_ (mailto:tkoren@korenpublications.com) URL: _www.korenpublications.com_ (http://www.korenpublications.com/) _www.foundationforhealthchoice.com_ (http://www.foundationforhealthchoice.com/) Subject: Quackwatch Founder Stephen Barrett loses Major Defamation trial in Hometown In a stunning development, Lehigh Valley Pennsylvania Judge J. Brian Johnson on Thursday, October 13, 2005, tossed out nationally known self-proclaimed ³consumer medical advocate² Stephen Barrettıs defamation lawsuit just minutes before it was going to be considered by a local jury. The lawsuit, filed in August 2002, against also nationally known Pennsylvania chiropractor, lecturer, researcher and publisher, Dr. Tedd Koren sought unspecified damages against Koren and his company, Koren Publications, Inc. for statements that he wrote in his newsletter in 2001 about Barrett. Barrett, a long-time nemesis of chiropractic, filed the lawsuit because of Korenıs publication that Barrett was ³de-licensed² and ³in trouble because of a $10 million lawsuit² and because Barrett was called a ³Quackpot.² In his defense, Koren contended that the statements were true and not defamatory and that he had a First Amendment right to write them in his newsletter. Thursdayıs ruling by Judge Johnson represented a major reversal of the finding of an arbitration in August 2004 wherein a panel of three local private attorneys reviewing the case had found in favor of Barrett and awarded Barrett $16,500 in damages and that Koren should publish a retraction. That award was appealed by Koren. Dr. Koren was represented by well-known health freedom San Juan Capistrano, California, attorney Carlos F. Negrete for trial and Washington, D.C. attorney James Turner of Swankin & Turner. Easton, Pennsylvania attorney Christopher Reid of Laub, Seidel, Cohen, Hof & Reid served as local counsel for the team and was co- counsel for the trial along with Negrete. Turner and Negrete have been well known for their representation of clients in the health food, supplement and vitamin industries as well as representing naturopaths, nurses, dentists, physicians, chiropractors and complimentary therapists across the country. Turnerıs experience dates back to the 1960s when he joined consumer advocate Ralph Nader and was one of the groundbreaking Naderıs Raiders that made consumer advocacy popular and brought about significant changes in manufacturing and consumer protection. In making the ruling to throw out the case, Judge Johnson granted a rare directed verdict to the jury finding there was insufficient evidence to support Barrettıs claims. Judge Johnson indicated that this case was one of those ³rare times² where such a motion was appropriate. Barrett operates the web site _www.quackwatch.org_ (http://www.quackwatch.org/) , _www.chirobase.org_ (http://www.chirobase.org/) and 20 other web sites and has been a long time critic of chiropractic calling much of it ³quackery.² The victory to chiropractor Koren comes almost 18 years to the date that chiropractors received national attention with their victory against the American Medical Association (AMA) by obtaining an injunction against the AMA from an Illinois federal judge for engaging in illegal boycotting of doctors of chiropractic in Wilk et al vs. AMA. Barrett had been an outspoken supporter of the AMA at the same time that Koren had been a vocal advocate that the AMA has, in recent years, violated the spirit of the federal judgeıs order. After the ruling, Koren proclaimed that: ³I am overjoyed and enthusiastic that this nightmare is over and that the science, art and philosophy of chiropractic and the work of all of my colleagues have been vindicated.² ³This case took a toll on my life and family, but I knew that I was right in publishing the truth.² ³Dr. Barrett has no right to misinform the public about chiropractic and other natural healing arts or to try to silence anyone who criticizes him or tell consumers that he is not what he purports to be.² ³I believe that it is not right to be silent when there is a duty to inform the public and let the truth be told.² For years, Barrett has touted himself as a ³medical expert² on ³quackery² in healthcare and has assisted in dozens of court cases as an expert. He also was called upon by the FDA, FTC and other governmental agencies for his purported expertise. He was the subject of many magazine interviews, including Time Magazine and featured on television interviews on ABCıs 20/20, NBCıs Today Show and PBS. He has gained media fame by his outspoken vocal disgust and impatience over natural or non-medical healthcare, including his criticisms of two time Nobel Prize winner Linus Pauling. Dr. Tedd Koren is known for his writings and lectures on chiropractic science, research, philosophy, and chiropractic patient adjusting. He is known for his Koren Publications chiropractic patient education brochures, posters, booklets, books and other products that are used in chiropractorsı offices throughout the United States and around the world. Dr. Koren also co-founded a chiropractic college, is on the extension faculty of two chiropractic colleges, is published in chiropractic and bio-medical journals and has received numerous awards in his field. His web sites include _www.korenpublications.com_ (http://www.korenpublications.com/) and _www.teddkorenseminars.com_ (http://www.teddkorenseminars.com/) In his 2001 newsletter, Koren published articles that revealed that even though he touted himself as a medical expert, Barrett had not been a licensed physician since the early 1990s. He also published that Barrett had been the subject of a $10 million racketeering lawsuit [that had been withdrawn] and called him a ³quackpot² for the contradiction of his web site and lack of credentials. Korenıs trial attorney, Carlos F. Negrete of San Juan Capistrano, California, is known for his defense of physicians, chiropractors, dentists, clinics and natural heath providers who practice what is known as complimentary & alternative medicine and holistic healthcare. Negrete has also handled groundbreaking cases against HMOs in California and has represented many celebrities and politicians. At trial, under a heated cross-examination by Negrete, Barrett conceded that he was not a Medical Board Certified psychiatrist because he had failed the certification exam. This was a major revelation since Barrett had provided supposed ³expert testimony² as a psychiatrist and had testified in numerous court cases. Barrett also had said that he was a ³legal expert² even though he had no formal legal training. The most damning testimony before the jury, under the intense cross-examination by Negrete, was that Barrett had filed similar defamation lawsuits against almost 40 people across the country within the past few years and had not won one single one at trial. During the course of his examination, Barrett also had to concede his ties to the AMA, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Food & Drug Administration (FDA). This was not the first time that Negrete was a trial attorney in a Barrett case. He also represented anti-fluoridation advocate Darlene Sherrell in a federal lawsuit filed in Eugene, Oregon by Barrett. Barrett also lost in trial of that case. Negrete also represented Dr. Frank J. King, Jr. ND, DC of King Bio Natural Medicine of North Carolina and MediaPower (manufacturers of CalMax and Nu- Zymes) of Maine in cases filed by an organization led by Barrett, which were also lost by Barrettıs organization. Barrett has also filed a lawsuit against Negrete and his client Dr. Hulda Clark (author of The Cure for All Diseases and The Cure for All Cancers), which is now pending and awaiting trial in San Diego, California federal court. After the Koren trial, Negrete stated: ³The de-bunker has been de- bunked. I am pleased and satisfied with this outcome for Dr. Koren and am proud that Dr. Koren did not succumb to the pressures of the intimidation of Barrettıs legal wrangling.² ³Not everyone can stand up to someone as well known as Barrett.² Negrete continued, ³It is another great day for health freedom and alternative healthcare around the world. I am especially pleased that this most important victory was in Barrettıs own hometown. It just goes to show you that there is justice anywhere, even when you are a visitor challenging the home team. Barrett is a shill for the medical and pharmaceutical cartels and his bully tactics and unjustified discrediting of leading innovators, scientists and health practitioners should not be tolerated.² Negrete said, ³You can be assured that our legal team will be wherever health freedom advocates and practitioners are being persecuted. The tide is now turning and people are no long accepting that synthetic drugs are the only way to address health concerns. Every day, consumers are becoming more educated about the benefits of holistic and alternative methods. This is something that the medical establishment obviously fears and wants to crush with false propaganda.² Koren said that he would now go back to his home in Pennsylvania to spend more time with his family and continue to write, research, and lecture on topics concerning chiropractic and healthcare and the experiences he has gained from this precedent setting legal battle. He plans to give new lectures to chiropractors across the country that are under attack or have been subjected to governmental actions. He also announced that he is forming a new organization aimed at informing and assisting chiropractors across the country. The trial started on Monday, October 10, 2005 and ended on October 13, 2005 Barrett was represented by local Allentown attorney, Richard Orloski. #### - end - The Foundation for Health Choice The Freedom to Heal and be Healed _www.foundationforhealthchoice.com_ (http://www.foundationforhealthchoice.com/) The Foundation for Health Choice For the Freedom to Heal and be Healed _www.foundationforhealthchoice.com_ (http://www.foundationforhealthchoice.com/) Do you want consumers and providers to have the freedom to choose to pursue, teach and practice the health approaches of their choice without fear of government harassment? Do you want the freedom to say no to vaccinations? Should organized medicine, the pharmaceutical companies, and government agencies refuse to change this state of affairs and in fact continue to support it? Had enough? Want to go on the offensive? We Need Your Support. Will you fight for freedom today so your children and nation will be free tomorrow? Please visit our web site at _www.foundationforhealthchoice.com_ (http://www.foundationforhealthchoice.com/) to learn more about the Foundation's vision, mission and strategies. I'm with you and the Foundation for Health Choice at the following tax-deductible level of support: Founder - $400+per month, ($4,800.00 per year and above). Personal calls with Jim Turner, Esq., Tedd Koren, D.C., advisory board members, scientists, and others. Patron - $200 per month ($2,400.00 per year). Personal calls with Jim Turner, Esq., Tedd Koren, D.C., advisory board members, scientists, and others. Benefactor ­$80 per month ($960.00 per year). All of the benefits listed below, plus periodic telephone updates. Sustainer - $40 per month ($480/year). All of the benefits listed below, plus a free copy of Chiildhood Vaccinations ­ Questions all parents should ask by Tedd Koren, DC. Plus e-mail updates and telephone updates. Supporter ­$25 per month ($300.00 per year). E-mail updates and telephone updates. Contributor - All donations up to Supporter: email updates, yearly report. I can help by donating $____ per month via credit card. I can give an initial donation of $___ and a monthly donation of $___ via credit card. I can give a one-time donation of $___ via credit card or check. Please call, mail, fax or e-mail your tax deductible donation to Foundation for Health Choice, c/o PO Box 665, Gwynedd Valley, PA 19437 or fax to: 215-699-0845 or phone us at 800-537-3001.. For more information contact Tedd Koren, DC _tkoren@korenpublications.com _ (mailto:tkoren@korenpublications.com) 215-699-7906; or Jim Turner, Esq. _jim@swankin-turner.com_ (mailto:jim@swankin- turner.com) Visit our web site: _www.foundationforhealthchoice.com_ (http://www.foundationforhealthchoice.com/) Name________________________________________________ _________ Address______________________________________________ __________ City__________________________________ State/Province_____________ Zip/Postal Code____________ Country________________________________ Phone ____________________________Fax_______________________ __ E- mail__________________________________________________ _______ CC #_______________________________________ Exp. Date _____ Signature_____________________________________________ _____ MY VIEW OF THE BIGGER PICTURE The Significance of Dr. Tedd Korenıs Courtroom Defeat of Quackbuster Steven Barrett Commentary by Steven C. Eisen, DC, Research Coordinator, Foundation for Health Choice On October 13, 2005, notorious self-proclaimed consumer medical advocate, Stephen Barrettıs defamation lawsuit against Dr. Tedd Koren was thrown out of court after a grueling three and a half day trial. To the unknowing observer, this may seem insignificant, but in no uncertain terms, it was a big victory for the battle of freedom and rights of all individuals to select the health care of their choice. The American Medical Association has a long standing history of trying to monopolize health care in the United States by eliminating competition. In Wilk v. AMA a Federal court ruled that the AMA and other individuals and organizations had conspired to contain and eliminate the practice of chiropractic. The court found that the AMA and itıs officials instituted a boycott of chiropractors and made it unethical for a medical doctor to associate with chiropractors. This boycott disallowing a medical doctor to associate with a chiropractor was only one part of a seeming comprehensive multi- phase strategy to eliminate chiropractic. The AMA also, and sometimes subtly, made attempts to undermine chiropractic educational institutions, conceal evidence of the usefulness of chiropractic care, undercut insurance programs for patients of chiropractors, subvert government inquiries into the efficacy of chiropractic, engage in a massive disinformation campaign to discredit and destabilize the chiropractic profession, and engage in numerous other activities to maintain a monopoly over health care in this country. It has been reported that the AMAıs Committee on Quackery was the group purportedly assigned with the task of eliminating chiropractic. A sub-group of the Committee on Quackery called the Coordinating Conference on Health Information (CCHI) was also set up to perform covert activities and operated in total secrecy. According to Joseph Lisa in his book, ³The Assault on Medical Freedom,² in 1974, the CCHI and its activities were turned over to regional councils against health fraud. According to Lisa, Stephen Barrett, MD, a psychiatrist in Allentown Pennsylvania was the leader of one of the affiliate groups called the Lehigh Valley Council Against Health Fraud. Notice the intentional transition from the word quackery to describe non-conventional health care, to the words health fraud. In 1977, the Allentown group merged with the California Committee Against Health Fraud to form the National Council Against Health Fraud (NCAHF) which is still in existence today and is still an advocate against chiropractic. Stephen Barrett is now delicensed (he voluntarily gave up his Pennsylvania medical license, the last of four medical licenses he once held, in the early 1990ıs) and the Vice President of the NCAHF. He also operates at least 20 websites affiliated with his main site, Quackwatch.com. The website and its affiliate web sites are seemingly designed to spread deceitful, untruthful and malicious propaganda about chiropractic and other non-conventional health practices; similar to the way the CCHI did under the auspices of the AMA. NCAHF is also involved in similar activities. In addition, Barrett and his groups also frequently consult for major media magazines, television, radio, governmental agencies such as the FBI, FTC and FDA and even the AMA. One of Barrettıs anti health-choice activities is to frequently file libel lawsuits against non-conventional health care practitioners, manufacturers and publishers. He testified in court to filing lawsuits against at least forty individuals. One of these lawsuits was filed against well known chiropractor, Dr. Tedd Koren and his publishing company, Koren Publications in 2003. Perhaps it is no coincidence that Barrett admits that he is a consultant to the FTC who unsuccessfully tried to destroy Korenıs publishing business in the 1990ıs using tactics intimately familiar to the CCHI and NCAHF. The FTC investigation was withdrawn after a full briefing of the facts to FTC officials by Dr. Korenıs attorneys. Realizing that the defamation lawsuit was just another of Barrettıs continued, conspiratorial tactics to destroy chiropractic, Dr. Koren decided that this time things would be different. In order to officially link Barrett to the original conspiracy revealed in Wilk v. AMA, he and Foundation for Health Choice cofounder and attorney Jim Turner, would have to get Barrett to court instead of settling like so many of his predecessors did. Jim Turner joined forces with health freedom trial attorney Carlos F. Negrete of San Juan Capistrano, California and attorney Christopher Reid of Allentown, Pennsylvania who all decided to take this precedent setting case to trial. This way, they could challenge Barrett and put his activities to the test before a jury of his own peers in his home town. The Barrett v. Koren trial took place between October 10th and October 13th 2005, and the case was thrown out by the judge before it went to the jury because Barrett had not provided sufficient evidence to prove his case. Barrett did, however, provide plenty of sufficient evidence to show that he was linked to the continued conspiracy against chiropractic. The Foundation for Health Choice now has a comprehensive multi- phase strategy to continue to investigate and uncover activities and organizations created to undermine chiropractic educational institutions, conceal evidence of the usefulness of chiropractic care, undercut insurance programs for patients of chiropractors, subvert government inquiries into the efficacy of chiropractic, engage in a massive disinformation campaign to discredit and destabilize the chiropractic profession, and engage in numerous other activities to maintain a monopoly over health care in this country. With your help we can stop the activity of these divisive and propagandist organizations once and for all. We ask that you consider supporting this effort to protect your freedom of health choice. Fifty dollars a month, from 1500 individuals, will fund the strategy to end the anti-chiropractic campaign of Barrett and his cronies. You can find out more at _www.foundationforhealthchoice.com_ (http://www.foundationforhealthchoice.com/)