Hundreds of Las Vegas businesses are maliciously targeted in federal court according to Nevada's Attorney General. Contact 13 has new information in an on-going effort to expose what the state calls an abuse of the system.
Attorney General Adam Laxalt announced today that a U.S. District Court judge will allow the state to intervene on behalf of local businesses being sued. They're accused of failing to comply with the American with Disabilities Act. But the AG claims the cases are just motivated by money.
We tried to find Kevin Zimmerman in August. He's the plaintiff in some 275 discrimination cases filed in federal court. The cases cite slight problems with ADA design standards -- like the exact width of store aisles, location of restroom paper towel dispensers and the height of disabled parking signs.
The places targeted are stores many of us visit every day. From gas stations to fast food restaurants. Starbucks and big box stores.
The AG notes that dozens of cases have already been settled, costing businesses an average of $2,000.
Laxalt's office is stepping in to put a stop to what he sees as a shakedown scheme. And to deter what he calls "abusive litigation."
Working with our Scripps partner stations in Phoenix and Denver, we've learned the very same language from Zimmerman's complaints are being used in hundreds more lawsuits in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and California.
We tried to reach Zimmerman's attorney, but he hasn't returned calls or email.
