Microtel Inns & Suites to Pay Civil Penalty and Take Corrective Actions to Settle Allegations of ADA Violations
The United States has reached an agreement with Micro-Hospitality Partnership d/b/a Microtel Inns & Suites (Microtel) to settle allegations that one of its properties, the Microtel Inn, denied accommodations to an individual accompanied by a service animal in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), announced Jerry E. Martin, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.
The agreement, filed yesterday, is the result of an investigation which was initiated by a complaint filed with the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division by a citizen alleging that the Microtel Inn had denied him and his family accommodations because he was accompanied by a service animal. The complaint was pursuant to Title II of the ADA, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12181-12189.
“Protecting the rights of persons with disabilities is a priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said U.S. Attorney Jerry Martin. “It is of particular importance when the alleged violation occurs at a place of public accommodation, such as a hotel or motel.”
The ADA authorizes the Department of Justice to investigate alleged violations of Title II. During its investigation, the United States determined that the complainant’s allegations had merit. The settlement agreement between the United States and Microtel includes a civil penalty of $20,000. Microtel is also required to adopt new ADA compliance measures, including new policies at its properties and ADA compliance training for the Microtel Inn’s employees.
