Board postpones vote on another Planned Parenthood review

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The Legislative Audit Council has postponed deciding whether to launch another state investigation into Planned Parenthood.

Members of the agency’s governing board expressed concern Thursday about duplication. But they said they’re still inclined to approve audit requests signed by dozens of House and Senate Republicans.

The board plans to vote at its next, not-yet-scheduled meeting. Meanwhile, staff will consult with other agencies on work done since the council received legislators’ requests.

Republican Rep. Garry Smith says he wants the Legislature’s investigative agency to do a separate review to verify what’s being reported.

The investigations follow the release of secretly-taped videos showing Planned Parenthood officials in other states discussing the collection of fetal organs for research.

A Planned Parenthood spokeswoman says the multiple investigations are part of a political witch hunt.