U.S. sues NY plastic surgery practice, alleging discrimination

A federal prosecutor has sued a cosmetic surgery practice with offices in Manhattan and on Long Island, saying it discriminates against prospective customers with HIV.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara brought the lawsuit Wednesday against Springfield Medical Aesthetic, doing business as Advanced Cosmetic Surgery of New York, which has an office in Commack.

The lawsuit said the company refused to provide services to a patient at its Manhattan offices last July because he is HIV positive. It said the company said its policy is to reject services to people with various ailments, including HIV, cancer and diabetes.

Bharara said in a release that people with disabilities are entitled to the same medical services as everyone else.

A message seeking comment from the company was not immediately returned.