WA court allows sex trafficking lawsuit against hotel in Kent to move forward

A significant ruling from the U. S. District Court for the Western District of Washington allows a sex trafficking lawsuit against Choice Hotels to proceed, marking a pivotal moment in the battle against human trafficking. The lawsuit, initiated by Singleton Schreiber LLP on behalf of Jane Doe A, accuses the hotel chain of knowingly allowing sex trafficking to occur at a Quality Inn in Kent between 2012 and 2016. Under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA), the lawsuit details how Choice Hotels maintained control over operations yet failed to act upon visible signs of trafficking.

Allegations include frequent cash payments from traffickers, extended stays booked day-to-day, and an unusual influx of male visitors to specific rooms. This ruling reinforces the necessity for corporate accountability in addressing trafficking on hotel properties, as highlighted by attorney Meagan Verschueren. She stressed that corporations must be held responsible when they ignore or facilitate trafficking. The Quality Inn involved is located at 1711 W Meeker St in Kent, with other motels, including a Motel 6, also implicated in the lawsuit. This case could set a precedent for future corporate liability in human trafficking situations.