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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Dentist Must Pay $120,000 In Hiv Case

Compiled From Wire Services

A dentist who refused to treat two HIV-positive patients will pay $120,000 in damages under a settlement worked out Tuesday by the Justice Department.

Dr. Drew Morvant of New Orleans will pay $60,000 to Russell Hodgkinson and $60,000 to the family of Ismael Pena, who died from AIDS in 1993.

On March 23, the U.S. District Court in New Orleans found Morvant had violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by discriminating against people with the HIV virus or with AIDS, which the virus causes, by refusing to treat them or referring them to other dentists because of their HIV-positive status.