PHOENIX (AZ Family) — The one Arizona Attorney General’s Office announced a lawsuit Monday against behavioral health facility operators who allegedly discriminated against a Casa Grande resident with HIV.

Attorney General Kris Mayes said the lawsuit filed under the Arizona Fair Housing Act is against Dwelling supported by olive branchesLLC, Terra Medical LLC, Terra Medical of Arizona LLC and their owner, Russell Appleton.

The sued facilities allegedly discriminated against a person who tried to receive care. After being diagnosed with HIV while living at one of the facilities, the individual was removed because of the disease, Mayes’ office said.

The lawsuit also says the operators told others at the facilities about the resident’s HIV diagnosis. When the resident filed a complaint, the defendants allegedly retaliated and threatened her with a countersuit. They continued to file the 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 discrimination against people with disabilities,” said Attorney General Mayes. “Disability discrimination does not happen in Arizona, whether it’s in the workplace, housing a person, or health care.”

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on disability and any actions that could coerce, intimidate, or interfere with someone’s rights to fair housing.

Attorney General Mayes urges 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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