COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Wyndham Hotels is accused of putting profits over protection for the victims of sex trafficking in a lawsuit filed July 2 in Ohio federal court.
A plaintiff known as K.C. filed the suit against Wyndham and Choice Hotels International, citing crime at hotels and motels that went on for decades. The defendants are accused of turning a blind eye to traffickers using their rooms.
K.C. says she was repeatedly raped and forced into prostitution under threats of physical and psychological abuse.
"The hospitality industry, speaking through industry organizations, has in recent years been increasingly vocal about its supposed “unified commitment” to combat human trafficking," the suit says.
"Unfortunately, the near-total lack of concrete action by Defendants and the rest of the hospitality industry shows that the industry in fact has a 'unified commitment' to the very opposite: continuing with business as usual, so that Defendants and all industry participants continue to profit from human trafficking."
Wyndham owns and operates a Days Inn and Super 8 in Columbus where the alleged criminal acts occurred. Choice owns a Knights Inn and Comfort Inn there.
The suit is brought under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act. K.C. is represented by the firm Babin Law.