Anthrax hoaxes continue in Milwaukee, Racine Latest recipients are a Planned Parenthood office and anti-abortion agency
By Meg Jones of the Journal Sentinel staff
Last Updated: Jan. 12, 2000
Two more anthrax threats were sent to offices in Milwaukee and Racine on Wednesday as such hoaxes continued to sweep across the country, authorities said.
The circumstances were similar to incidents earlier this week at three other Milwaukee sites, as well as at a middle school and children's services agency in Kenosha.
In each instance, letters contained a powder with a note threatening that the substance was anthrax were opened, police were called, and anyone who came in contact with the powder was decontaminated and checked at local hospitals.
Also Wednesday, authorities announced that an anthrax hoax letter was sent to Community Adoption Agency in Manitowoc on Monday. The letter, postmarked Milwaukee, said "This is anthrax - you will die." The letter was sent to the organization's former address in Waukesha and forwarded, said Manitowoc Police Capt. Tom Bergner. Since the threats are sent via the mail, the FBI is investigating. Although tests have shown none of the powdery substances were actually anthrax, anyone caught sending the letters faces life in prison, said FBI special agent Brian Manganello.
"They're called hoaxes, but it's not a humorous matter and the penalties are severe," said Manganello, based in Milwaukee.
An envelope containing a substance claimed to be anthrax was found at Planned Parenthood in downtown Milwaukee Wednesday. Two similar anthrax threats, which turned out to hoaxes, were opened at the same clinic on Monday.
In Racine, a volunteer at Affiliated Pregnancy Counseling Service opened an envelope containing a powdery substance and a threat, and contacted police. The incident would have been contained to one office and only two people, but a worker at a dental office in the building walked into Affiliated Pregnancy Counseling Service after the envelope had been opened. The dental office employee then returned to the dental office, potentially contaminating the other five people in that office, said Racine Police Sgt. Jerry Baldukas.
Dan Krueger, a member of the board of Affiliated Pregnancy Counseling Service, described it as an all-volunteer, non-profit Christian agency that opposes abortion.
"Unfortunately, these things seem to happen in rashes," said FBI special agent Barry Babler.
Classes resumed Wednesday at Bullen Middle School in Kenosha following an anthrax threat Tuesday that forced the evacuation of 800 students. A letter had also been sent to Children's Service Society of Wisconsin in Kenosha.
Aurora Health Care offices on Milwaukee's south side reopened at 1 p.m. Wednesday after an anthrax threat was opened there on Tuesday, said Jeff Squire, director of communications.
Manganello said a similar spate of anthrax hoaxes were mailed last February to organizations and businesses across the country. None turned out to be anthrax, an infectious disease caused by bacteria that is lethal if the bacteria are inhaled.
"It's running the gamut just like last year, abortion clinics, schools, hospitals, health care providers, pro-life agencies. It doesn't seem to be a sensible pattern," said Manganello.
Anyone with information about the anthrax hoaxes should contact their local law enforcement agency or the Milwaukee FBI at (414) 276-4684.
Journal Sentinel reporters Jennie Tunkieicz, reporting from Racine, and James H. Burnett III, reporting from Milwaukee, contributed to this report.
Appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Jan. 13, 2000.