FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bachmann’s Billing Appears As Unethical as His ‘Ex-Gay’ Therapy, Says TWO
Burlington, Vt. – Attorney Norm Kent sent a letter to Bachmann & Associates today on behalf of Truth Wins Out demanding that he cease and desist from harassing the organization. TWO has also launched a petition on Change.org urging people to contact Bachmann and tell him to stop his petty and vindictive threats against the LGBT organization.
“Marcus Bachmann’s billing practices appear to be as unethical as the ‘ex-gay’ therapy offered at his clinic,” said Truth Wins Out Executive Director Wayne Besen. “We will not be intimidated or bullied and do not intend to pay Bachmann’s phony bill.”
On Monday, Bachmann personally called the group’s Communications Director, John Becker, leaving a voicemail in which he demanded $150 for cancelled July sessions of “ex-gay” therapy with a counselor at his practice. He threatened that if TWO did not pay him by Friday he would turn the phony bill over to a collection agency. This morning, the Law Offices of Kent & Cormican faxed a letter to Bachmann’s Minnesota clinic. According to the letter:
“If you are persistent in this claim, and attempt to employ the collection agency you have threatened to, you should know that my firm and our associates in your jurisdiction would take legal action against you,” wrote attorney Norm Kent. “Specifically, and you should make no mistake about the same, we consider your therapy and practices fraudulent. We have concluded your services are dubious and questionable, not worthy of any billing at all. We consider your fees and charges part of a larger civil conspiracy to defraud vulnerable individuals.”
In July, Truth Wins Out went undercover and exposed Bachmann & Associates for practicing a form of discredited “pray away the gay” therapy. The revelation rocked Michele Bachmann’s presidential campaign. After TWO’s John Becker, who went undercover, had enough videotape evidence to prove that “ex-gay” therapy occurred at Bachmann’s clinic, he called the clinic and cancelled his remaining appointments. Despite widespread circulation of TWO’s video footage, Marcus denied the therapy had taken place.
“I cancelled my remaining appointments in compliance with Bachmann & Associates’ stated procedure,” said John Becker, TWO’s Director of Communications and Development, “yet Marcus Bachmann himself called me and threatened to send the fraudulent $150 ‘bill’ to a collection agency by Friday. I find it odd that Bachmann handled this matter personally rather than through his billing department. This is certainly an unorthodox way of doing business, much like the spurious ‘ex-gay’ therapy offered at his clinic.”
Becker returned Bachmann’s call on Tuesday and spoke with him for nearly seven minutes in the presence of a reporter from the local ABC/FOX affiliate in Burlington. The video of the tense exchange can be viewed at Truth Wins Out’s website.
“We saw firsthand that the ‘ex-gay’ therapy practiced by Bachmann & Associates is unethical and unhealthy for clients,” said Becker. “What goes on in that clinic is rejected by every respected medical and mental health organization in America.”
Truth Wins Out is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to create a world where LGBT individuals can live openly, honestly and true to themselves. TWO fights anti-LGBT religious extremism, monitors anti-LGBT organizations, documents their lies and exposes their leaders. TWO specializes in turning information into action by organizing, advocating and fighting for LGBT equality.
Contact: Wayne Besen, Executive Director
Phone: 917-691-5118
E-Mail: wbesen@truthwinsout.org
Contact: John Becker, Director of Communications & Development
Phone: 920-265-6023
E-mail: john@truthwinsout.org
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TWO appears tireless in their efforts standing up for the LGBT community. I’m honored to be behind them with support.
Good for you Mr. Becker. It may cost more in lawyer’s fees, but you are fighting for a higher purpose than a mere bill. These “KKKristian” counseling centers are perpetrating a fraud on their patients and this needs to stop. I hope you have the backing of the MN State Attorney General’s Office as this fraud is being accomplished in his/her jurisdiction.
Michele Bachmann is married to a self-loathing closet case, Herman Cain is an attempted rapist, Newt Gingrich is a serial adulterer, Rick Perry is a high-functioning moron….
Four more years!
Jon Stewart could probably have some fun with this story. ;)
I dispute the fact that Rick Perry is high functioning.
Bachmann’s initial defense in this == “We provide the service if the client wants it” — is perhaps the most damaging of all his statements. Even granting that Minn’s relatively loose regulations for “counseling” providers gives Bachmann more leeway than he would have in other states, his admission that he would provide any service a client would ask for, while he claims to be a mental health care practitioner, is extremely incriminating. Apparently if somebody asked for an exorcism, Bachmann & Associates would take the client’s money and perform the exorcism. “Reparative therapy” is no less fraudulent than exorcism, yet Bachmann has made no statement acknowledging that fact. That he personally would call anybody, still less TWO, to discuss alleged cancellation fees only adds to the impression that his rinky-dink operation is victimizing gullible consumers.
To quote the old McDonald’s ad: I’m lovin’ it!
This is why the anti-gay side absolutely despises TWO. TWO is in their face and will not shrink from a fight. Keep it up Wayne. You are awesome!
Why did Bachmann use the word “Barbarians” as an insult anyway? Last time I checked, barbarians were awesome.
Is there anyway this episode could evolve into Bachmann being sued? My thoughts are with you.
I love witnessing it when neurotic personalities like Marcus Bachmann start to unravel. What did the man expect we would do when he called us “barbarians” and his wife dedicated much of her career to vilifying the lives of gay and lesbian Americans?
I’m proud that our community doesn’t keel over in the face of opposition. Hopefully, schoolyard bullies and religious fanatics like the Bachmanns will wake up one day and figure out how to live their lives without picking on other people.
So did Bachmann blink?