WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 /EMWNews/ -- 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

             [email protected]



             Charles Wilkins

             202-344-8253

             [email protected]