FULLERTON : HIV-Positive Man Sues Nutrition Center

A Fullerton man who is HIV-positive has filed a federal lawsuit against a Yorba Linda nutrition center, alleging he was refused dietary counseling because he is infected with the deadly virus.

Richard D. Slocum, 35, claims in the lawsuit filed Tuesday that a receptionist at the Charis Nutrition Center in February canceled an appointment Slocum had scheduled after he informed the employee he is HIV-positive.

The receptionist told him that the nutritionist would not see him because it was the policy of the office not to treat people with HIV, said Gus T. May, Slocum’s attorney.

“She explained that the policy was based on their desire to avoid exposing the many children in their waiting room to persons with HIV,” May said. (HIV cannot be spread by casual contact.) “They can’t have blanket policies against certain groups of individuals based on their disabilities.”

The lawsuit claims the nutrition center violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and state civil, business and professional codes. It seeks $125,000 in damages.

The suit also names Dr. Corrine Allen, owner and operator of the center. Allen did not return phone calls Tuesday.

May said he received a letter in May from the center’s Chicago-based attorney telling him to advise his client to see a medical doctor for his condition. The attorney, Kirkpatrick Dilling, did not return phone calls Tuesday.