A lawsuit has been filed against the state of Arizona, alleging that they were aware of the exploitation, injuries, and deaths of Native Americans in sober living facilities. One individual involved in the lawsuit claims that a staff member at one of these facilities provided an alcoholic with fentanyl, resulting in their incapacitation. FOX 10 Investigator Justin Lum brings us the details of this disturbing story.
Arizona continues to grapple with the aftermath of a colossal Medicaid scandal that resulted in defrauding the state of nearly $3 billion.
We recently shared information about a class action lawsuit that was filed against the state. The lawsuit highlighted heartbreaking stories of Native Americans who were seeking sobriety but became victims of a scheme that specifically targeted their addiction.
The complaint places the responsibility on state leaders who were aware of a scam targeting Native Americans in 2019 but failed to take sufficient action to prevent it.
According to lawyers, several of the plaintiff’s family members lost their lives while attempting to flee deceptive establishments.
“The state was aware of the exploitation and harm inflicted upon the native population, with injuries and deaths occurring, and yet they continued to provide funding to these individuals,” expressed John Brewer, partner at Brewerwood Law Firm.
John Brewer and Dane Wood are spearheading a class action complaint against Arizona’s Medicaid agency, AHCCCS, and the Arizona Department of Health Services.
These individuals are the relatives of Mackenzie Joseph.
In January 2023, she was struck by a car near 91st Avenue and Camelback while attempting to leave a purportedly deceitful sober living home for good. The lawsuit claims that she was determined to achieve sobriety and was in the process of leaving the facility.
According to lawyers, she remained in a constant state of intoxication, participating in multiple intensive outpatient programs and residing in various sober living homes until her unfortunate demise.
Randy Ben’s family member is also involved in the class action complaint.
Ben stayed at a behavioral health residential facility in Phoenix known as BSS Care, LLC, according to the lawsuit.
He tragically passed away in his home in March.
A group of lawyers involved in a class-action lawsuit against Arizona recently revealed that state officials were well aware of the sober living crisis in the state for a long time. We have been closely monitoring this issue, and it is disheartening to learn that the authorities had knowledge of the scheme years ago.
According to the Department of Health records, BSS Care has a history of violations and fines. These include instances where they failed to ensure that their behavioral health technicians possessed the necessary skills to provide services, as well as their failure to have a registered nurse present at the facility or on-call.
One story that catches the attention of the lawyers is the one that doesn’t end with death.
Randy Honyumptewa, their client, was going through alcohol detoxification. He was staying in a gated community that was known for having numerous sober living homes. During this time, Randy was not feeling well.
Wood recounted an incident where the house manager offered him a pill, assuring him that it would provide relief. However, to his surprise, it turned out to be fentanyl.
Honyumptewa experienced cardiac arrest and suffered a traumatic brain injury.
According to Wood, the person in question is reliant on a feeding tube and is completely incapacitated. Their ability to communicate, eat, or engage in any activities has been compromised.
The lawsuit alleges that the state displayed gross negligence by allowing the sober living scheme to thrive, resulting in the victimization of numerous Native Americans.
Both AHCCCS and ADHS have chosen not to comment on the pending litigation. However, interested individuals can read their complete statement here.