Arizona AG Sues Mental Health Facility for Disability Discrimination

PHOENIX (AZ Family) — The Arizona Attorney General’s Office on Monday announced a lawsuit against operators of psychological treatment facilities that allegedly discriminated against an HIV-infected Casa Grande resident.

Attorney General Chris Mayes said the lawsuit, filed under Arizona’s Fair Housing Act, is against Olive branch of helpLLC, Terra Medical LLC, Terra Medical of Arizona LLC and their owner Russell Appleton.

The facilities complained of allegedly discriminated against the person who was trying to get help. After being diagnosed with HIV while staying at one of the facilities, the person was removed because of the illness, Mace’s office said.

The lawsuit also alleges that the operators told other people in the facilities about the resident’s HIV diagnosis. When the resident filed a complaint, the defendants allegedly retaliated against her and threatened her with a countersuit. They filed a lawsuit, but it was later dismissed.

“Discrimination against people with HIV is an ugly relic of the past, and my office is committed to preventing and prosecuting all forms of disability discrimination,” said Attorney General Mace. “There is no place for disability discrimination in Arizona, whether in employment, housing or health care.”

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability and any action that may coerce, intimidate, or interfere with someone’s right to fair housing.

Attorney General Mayes encourages anyone who believes they have experienced housing discrimination to file a complaint with the Civil Rights Division of the Attorney General’s Office. You can also call the Attorney General’s office in Phoenix at (602) 542-5263 or in Tucson at (520) 628-6500.

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