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Arizona attorney general files motion to dismiss 1,000+ lawsuit from serial suer AID

Posted at 1:19 PM, Dec 08, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-08 21:39:42-05

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office has filed a motion to dismiss more than 1,000 disability lawsuits filed by a controversial “advocacy” group. 

The motion is the latest and most significant move in a months-long legal battle between the Attorney General and Advocates for Individuals with Disabilities (AID).

“Abusive litigation practices harm our community,” said Attorney General Mark Brnovich. “These shakedowns strain our collective resources and damage our faith in well-meaning laws and public institutions.”

FULL COVERAGE: Cash for Compliance?

AID filed more than 1,700 lawsuits this year alleging violations in Valley businesses’ parking lots under the Americans with Disabilities Act.  In many cases, an ABC15 investigation found AID has sued businesses and demanded thousands to settle because parking signs were a few inches too low.

The Attorney General’s Office made an unusual and unprecedented move in late August when it filed a motion to intervene in AID’s lawsuits. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge David Talamante granted the AG’s motion to intervene, allowing the state to join the consolidated lawsuit as a defendant.

The consolidated case includes more than 1,000 of AID’s open lawsuits.

RELATED: Controversial ADA suer drops plan to add felon to lawsuits

In a previous interview, Attorney General Mark Brnovich said he decided to take on AID because of ABC15’s investigation into the group.

Brnovich said he believes AID is “abusing” and “misusing” the law.

RELATED: 'Advocate' attorney sued dirt lot by mistake

Attorneys for AID have shot back at the Attorney General by saying his office has failed to properly enforce ADA law for years.  The group claims it has the authority to mass enforce ADA non-compliance through serial lawsuits.

Advocates for Individuals with Disabilities has vowed to vigorously fight the AG’s action and previously stated it’s willing to take the case to the Supreme Court, if necessary.

Contact ABC15 Investigator Dave Biscobing at dbiscobing@abc15.com