[Nfbf-l] BLIND WAR HERO'S NEXT FIGHT IS IN FEDERAL COURT

[Alan Dicey]

Date: October 22, 2013 at 11:06:14 PM PDT
BLIND WAR HERO'S NEXT FIGHT IS IN FEDERAL COURT
Contact: Patricia Barbosa 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tel. 714/465-9486
Cell: 949/370-9942
Email: pbarbosa at barbosagrp.com
BLIND WAR HERO'S NEXT FIGHT IS IN FEDERAL COURT
Blind War Vet denied bank loan because he didn't have a driver's license
HUNTINGTON BEACH, California, October 17, 2013 -
Army Sgt. Major Jesse Acosta's latest fight is against his bank, who denied 
his approved and fully executed loan, only after finding out that Sgt. Major 
Acosta is blind.  In 2006, Sgt. Major Acosta was hit by a mortar while 
leading his men on a mission in Iraq.  He returned to his job at SoCal Gas 
Company in Garden Grove, with a Purple Heart, but suffering with Traumatic 
Brain Injury, severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); and without his 
eyes.

jury to find that Huntington Beach-based NuVision Federal Credit Union 
("NuVision") refused to fund a $20,000 loan they offered him after he went 
to sign loan documents and the bank realized Sgt. Major Acosta was blind. 
NuVision reneged on the fully executed loan, and told Sgt. Major Acosta "You 
didn't tell us you were blind, that's a problem."   NuVision claimed that 
Sgt. Major Acosta had to produce a valid driver's license to qualify for a 
loan.

In a move reminiscent of the 1950's, when women could not borrow money 
without their husbands or fathers co-signing loans for them, NuVision's 
manager told Sgt. Major Acosta to get a co-signer for a new loan.  The only 
qualifications Jesse's co-signer needed, according to NuVision, was a valid 
drivers' license-the one qualification no blind person could ever meet.

Since returning from Iraq, Sgt. Major Acosta, a father of four, has been a 
leader in advocating for the needs of returning disabled vets, testifying 
before Congress, speaking at the White House, and working with injured vets.

Pursuant to the American's with Disabilities Act, and the Unruh Act, 
businesses cannot discriminate on the basis of a person's disability.  Sgt. 
Major Acosta will prove that NuVision denied him a loan because he was 
blind, and not on the basis of a legitimate business purpose.

 This is "the first time I was made to feel that I was less of a person 
because of my disability," stated Sgt. Major Acosta.  He has been battling 
depression, anger and severe episodes of PTSD that cause him great physical 
and mental anguish, as he relives the helplessness he felt in dealing with 
NuVision's denial of his loan."  Sgt. Major Acosta's anger and depression 
has turned into a new mission to stop NuVision's discrimination, and teach 
business that discrimination injures returning vets.

Sgt. Major Acosta was referred to civil rights attorney Patricia Barbosa, 
the founder of Barbosa Group, who has 26 years of experience enforcing civil 
rights.  "NuVision's policy-that blind customers must have valid driver's 
licenses-is discrimination on its face and violates the ADA and California's 
Unruh Act," said attorney Barbosa.  "I want to vindicate Jesse's belief that 
he is a full member of society, even if he is disabled," said attorney 
Barbosa.

> The jury trial will be heard by Judge Margaret Morrow in the Roybal 
> Federal Courthouse in Los Angeles on October 22nd-24th.  "I want NuVision 
> to understand that discrimination is wrong, and is not just business as 
> usual," said Sgt. Major Acosta.
###
 For more information, or to schedule an interview with Sgt. Major Acosta, 
please call Patricia Barbosa at 714/465-9486 or email 
PBarbosa at Barbosagrp.com


> 16 information 531 Bolsa Chica, Ste 205
 Huntington Beach, CA 92649
(714) 465-9486 / Fax: 866 907-3235
 (949) 370-9942 direct line
 PBarbosa at Barbosagrp.com