United States v. Asare

291 F. Supp. 3d 476
CourtDistrict Court, S.D. Illinois
DecidedDecember 20, 2017
Docket15 Civ. 3556 (AT) (AJP)
StatusPublished

This text of 291 F. Supp. 3d 476 (United States v. Asare) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, S.D. Illinois primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Asare, 291 F. Supp. 3d 476 (S.D. Ill. 2017).

Opinion

ANALISA TORRES, District Judge:

Plaintiff, the United States of America (the "Government"), and Intervenor-Plaintiff, Mark Milano (collectively, "Plaintiffs"), bring this action against Defendants Emmanuel Asare, M.D. ("Asare") and his former cosmetic surgery practice Springfield Medical Aesthetic P.C. ("Advanced Cosmetic"), alleging that Defendants violated the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (the "ADA"), 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq., and the New York City Human Rights *478Law ("HRL") by denying cosmetic surgery services to individuals with disabilities, particularly HIV. Plaintiffs move for summary judgment. ECF No. 87. Defendants cross-move for summary judgment on the Government's ADA claims unrelated to HIV. ECF No. 100. For the reasons stated below, Plaintiffs' motion is GRANTED in part, DENIED in part, and Defendants' cross-motion is GRANTED.

BACKGROUND

This case arises from Asare's refusal to perform cosmetic surgery on three individuals: John Doe 1, John Doe 2, and Milano. In April 2014, John Doe 1 had an initial consultation with Asare for gynecomastia surgery. Pls. 56.1 ¶ 39, ECF No. 88. John Doe 1 and Asare scheduled the surgery, but Asare canceled it after test results suggested that John Doe 1 may be HIV positive. Id. ¶ 41. The parties dispute what, exactly, John Doe 1 and Asare discussed after cancellation or if a follow-up meeting took place. Id. ¶¶ 41-42. But the surgery did not go forward.

Similarly, in May 2014, John Doe 2 sought to have a gynecomastia surgery with Asare. Id. ¶ 28. John Doe 2 had an initial consultation, attended a pre-operative appointment, paid a deposit for the surgery, and, on May 21, 2014, appeared at Asare's office for the procedure. Id. ¶¶ 28-29. John Doe 2 was administered a sedative cocktail, including lorazepam, hydromorphone, and Benadryl. Id. ¶ 30. Before beginning the procedure, however, Asare canceled the surgery. Id. ¶ 31. Asare's notes from May 21 indicate that John Doe 2 had an elevated white blood count and tested positive for HIV. ECF No. 93-5. Asare scratched out the operative report, noting the "case cancelled due to lab results." Id.

Instead of rescheduling the surgery, Asare's May 21 notes indicate that he developed a "plan" whereby John Doe 2 would consult his primary care physician and repeat the HIV test in eight weeks. Id. Two days later, John Doe 2 came in for another appointment. Asare's May 23 notes state that he gave John Doe 2 a "[d]etailed explanation concerning his [elevated white blood count] and inconclusive HIV test." Id. The notes state that John Doe 2 agreed to meet with his primary care physician as well as other specialists. Id. John Doe 2 did not have HIV, however, and was not taking antiretroviral drugs. Pls. 56.1 ¶ 34.

Finally, in July 2014, Milano requested that Asare perform a gynecomastia procedure on him. Id. ¶ 14. At his initial consultation, Milano mentioned an HIV medication he had taken in the past. Id. ¶ 16. Asare asked Milano if he had HIV, and Milano confirmed that he did. Id. ¶ 17. Again, it is disputed what, exactly, Asare told Milano after this point, but the parties agree that Asare conveyed to Milano that he was not a suitable candidate for the gynecomastia surgery. Id. ¶ 18. Asare declined to perform the surgery. Id. ¶¶ 18-20.

On July 15, 2014, Milano filed a complaint about Asare with the Department of Justice. See Compl. ¶ 29, ECF No. 1; Milano Compl. ¶ 39, ECF No. 31. As a result, the Government launched an investigation into Asare and Advanced Cosmetic. Compl. ¶ 30. On or about September 19, 2014, the Government sent Defendants a letter requesting documents and information about its medical services to individuals living with HIV. Id. Asare responded to the Government by letter on December 10, 2014. ECF No. 93-4.

In the letter, Asare explained that "[a]ny condition that a patient has that to the best of my knowledge will potentially have any negative effect on the outcome of the surgery or recovery process will disqualify the patient."

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Bluebook (online)
291 F. Supp. 3d 476, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-asare-ilsd-2017.