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Richmond Home Faulted by State Human Rights Panel

AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Human Rights Commission has sided with a man who says he was a victim of discrimination and unfairly discharged from an assisted living residence in Richmond.

The commission voted 4-0 to find reasonable grounds to believe James Nichols was denied a reasonable accommodation by Richmond Eldercare Coalition Inc. However, the panel voted to dismiss Nichols' charges that two facility officials discriminated against him on the basis of disability.

Commission findings are not law, but may become grounds for lawsuits. The commission also assists with conciliation efforts.

Nichols, who has mental disabilities, post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder and alcoholism, was discharged after two months and after complaining about a roommate.

A lawyer for the facility tells the Kennebec Journal she disagrees with the commission's vote.