Attorney General Kris Mayes has filed a lawsuit against Olive Branch Assisted Living, LLC, Terra Medical LLC, Terra Medical of Arizona LLC, and their owner, Russell Appleton. The legal action is based on allegations of disability discrimination under the Arizona Fair Housing Act.
The Act prohibits discrimination due to disability and actions that coerce or interfere with fair housing rights. The lawsuit claims these facilities discriminated against a resident in Casa Grande who sought behavioral health services. After being diagnosed with HIV while residing at the facility, the resident was allegedly removed because of her diagnosis. Additionally, it is claimed that the operators disclosed her diagnosis to others at the facility by implication.
The suit further alleges retaliation when the resident filed a complaint. The defendants reportedly threatened her with a countersuit, which they eventually filed but later dismissed.
"Discrimination against people with HIV is an ugly relic of the past, and my office is committed to preventing and prosecuting every form of disability discrimination," stated Attorney General Mayes. "Disability discrimination has no place in Arizona, whether it’s at the workplace, in a person’s housing, or receiving medical care."
Assistant Attorneys General Ryan Bishop and Tarah White are handling this litigation, following an investigation conducted by Compliance Officer Elizabeth Amarillas.
Earlier this month, Attorney General Mayes initiated a public awareness campaign on housing discrimination and renters' legal rights.
Mayes encourages anyone who believes they have faced housing discrimination to file a complaint with the Civil Rights Division of the Attorney General’s Office or contact them directly in Phoenix or Tucson.