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NM Non-Profit Sued by Clients

 A Clovis-based nonprofit organization dedicated to "enhancing the lives of people with disabilities" is facing a lawsuit from clients for neglect and exploitation.

The Albuquerque Journal reports (http://bit.ly/Rfhrrq) that a recently filed lawsuit alleges that the organization Eastern New Mexico Rehabilitative Services for the Handicapped unfairly forced five clients with developmentally disabilities to fend for their medical themselves while the agency amassed more than $13 million in assets in recent years.

The lawsuit says one plaintiff had so many unaddressed physical and emotional issues that she was hospitalized numerous times and weighed nearly 500 pounds when a state caseworker became involved in her case in 2003.

ENMRSH President and CEO Damian Houfek told the Journal the agency is reviewing the lawsuit.