A Florida federal judge ruled last week that an accuser has sufficient alleged violations of the law against Staybridge Suites hotel in Naples to go ahead with a lawsuit.
US District Judge John Steele denied motions to dismiss the lawsuit brought by an anonymous accuser who goes by the initials S.Y. and says she was a victim of sex trafficking at the hotel, which is located at 4805 Tamiami Trail North in Naples. Hotel staff ignored blatant signs of sex trafficking such as an excess of condoms in rooms, and guests checking in with no luggage and flashing large amounts of cash, according to the suit.
A spokesman for the hotel group said in a statement that the company cannot speak to ongoing litigation, but is committed to working with hotel owners to fight human trafficking.
The suit includes violations of the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act and the Florida Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Statute.
