DUBOIS — An organ procuring agency is denying allegations that officials caused the death of a central Pennsylvania man by giving an organ to a less needy patient.

Holly Bulvony, a spokeswoman for the Center for Organ Recovery & Education, or CORE, says the allegations in the lawsuit by Jay and Virginia Draper are "without merit." The Drapers sued Tuesday saying their 41-year-old son, Jeffrey, of DuBois, died Jan. 17, 2008 because he was denied the liver 25 days earlier.

The Drapers claim CORE officials violated federal regulations by sending a liver meant for their son to a patient with a lower medical need score.

PITTSBURGH — A Christian legal group that successfully overturned a Pittsburgh law restricting protests near abortion clinics and health facilities wants the city to pay $360,000 in legal fees.City Solicitor Dan Regan says the fees sought by the Alliance Defense Fund of Scottsdale, Ariz., are "excessive" and is challenging the request. The group sued saying a 2005 law denied free speech rights to Indiana Township nurse and abortion protester Mary Kathryn Brown.