U.S. SUPREME COURT Youngstowner files formal AIDS-plot complaint

Boyd Graves says a government flow chart of federal research programs, experiments and scientific papers ties directly to the development of AIDS.
By DAVID PHINNEY
STATES NEWS SERVICE
WASHINGTON -- A Youngstown man has filed charges with the U.S. Supreme Court alleging that the government secretly developed the AIDS virus..
In his complaint, Boyd E. Graves submitted what he says is proof of a virus program started in the early 1960s.
Graves, whose last known Youngstown address was Greeley Lane on the East Side, says the $550 million program was coordinated between the Department of Defense, the National Institutes of Health and other government agencies to develop a disease to eradicate the world's black population.
Among the scientists he accuses of playing a key role in the project is Dr. Robert Gallo, an internationally acclaimed AIDS and HIV researcher who many view as the first to fully identify the AIDS virus in 1984.
Gallo, now with the Institute of Virology in Baltimore, called the charges odd and bizarre and denied knowing anything about a special virus program.
"There was a special cancer virus program. There was nothing but cancer research in the whole program," he said, adding his association with it was limited.
Nevertheless, Graves, who in 1992 was diagnosed with AIDS, remains adamant in his claims that a secret government plot ignited the epidemic. Graves is a 1970 graduate of East High School.
In the past 20 years, AIDS has taken an estimated 22 million lives worldwide. An additionial 36 million are living with the disease, according to the World Health Organization. Scientists continue to debate its origin.
Flow chart: Central to Graves' assertion is a government flow chart from 1971 that chronicles nine years of federal research programs, experiments and scientific papers that he ties directly to the development of AIDS.
"There is no greater proof than this blueprint document," says the onetime naval officer who is an attorney. "This is the greatest story of all time."
After learning he had AIDS, Graves began searching through government documents for information about possible cures. His relentless digging led him to the discovery of the special virus program documents.
The program culminated with the federal government developing 60,000 liters of a biological agent in 1978 that would subsequently be known as AIDS, according to Graves.
He contends the Pentagon then spread the virus in Africa and the United States to cull the black population.
He says a number of reports on those 15 programs still exist and provide even more detail to the production of HIV, the virus which causes AIDS. The virus was released in Africa through smallpox vaccines and in New York City during a controlled Hepatitis B experimental vaccine, he says.
Graves accuses the National Cancer Institute, the National Institutes of Health and other agencies of taking part in the special virus program.
Officials there say they are unable to respond to the allegations.
Two government spokesmen said they nothing about a virus program.
Frustrated: Graves said he has been frustrated trying to convince two lower federal courts to call on witnesses to explain the records he has discovered.
In September 1999, U.S. District Court in Cleveland dismissed his case. That ruling was upheld by the 6th District Appeals Court in Cincinnati in January.
Both courts ruled that the allegations are frivolous and vague. One judge called him delusional.
With his Supreme Court filing, Graves expressed relief that his eight-year battle for a day in court may finally arrive.
"I felt for the first time that our government was listening," he said. "We are now holding our breath that this is going to be taken seriously. I feel as though I have crossed the finish line."
The high court must decide if it will hear his case.