HIV Positive Applicant Sues Louisiana Sheriff For Medical Discrimination

NEW ORLEANS, LA — Williams Pierce is suing a Louisiana sheriff for medical discrimination after he was rejected from a job for having HIV, according to a lawsuit.

Pierce said in the documents filed Tuesday that he believed he had the job until he underwent a medical exam.

The offer for a job as an Iberia Parish sheriff's deputysays the offer was rescinded, he said, after the exam found he is healthy but has the human immunodeficiency virus. The suit says the virus doesn't create significant risk for Pierce or anyone he encounters as a police officer and the Americans with Disabilities Act protects him from discrimination.

The lawsuit says Pierce has been a paramedic and EMS instructor in Ohio and an officer for two Louisiana police departments.

Lambda Legal filed the suit for Pierce against Sheriff Louis Ackal and Capts. Ryan Turner and Rickey J. Bourdeaux.

A spokesman says the sheriff doesn't comment on pending litigation.

AP Photo/Max Becherer