WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 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
    Note on Venable:

    One of the American Lawyer's top 100 law firms, Venable LLP has
attorneys practicing in all areas of corporate and business law, complex
litigation, intellectual property and government affairs. Venable serves
corporate, institutional, governmental, nonprofit and individual clients
throughout the U.S. and around the world from its headquarters in
Washington, D.C. and offices in California, Maryland, New York and
Virginia. For more, visit http://www.Venable.com.



    From:    Allan Ripp
             212-262-7477
             arippnyc@aol.com

             Charles Wilkins
             202-344-8253
             cfwilkins@venable.com

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