Proposed Settlement In Motel 6 Lawsuit Draws Pushback From Arizona Attorney General

Published: Friday, May 31, 2019 - 10:58am
Updated: Friday, May 31, 2019 - 11:01am
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Matthew Casey/KJZZ
Mark Brnovich
Matthew Casey/KJZZ
Thomas Saenz, president and general counsel for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund

A federal judge has denied the Arizona attorney general’s request to formally object to part of a proposed settlement of a lawsuit against Motel 6 for turning guest information over to immigration authorities, but the state’s top lawyer can re-submit his protest later.

Mark Brnovich had asked a federal judge to deny the initial go-ahead on the proposed settlement. The agreement would let some money go to charities if Motel 6 guests who faced deportation, or were questioned by immigration authorities, did not claim their share of a multimillion-dollar pot.

Motel 6 was sued by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, or MALDEF. President and General Counsel Thomas Saenz said the potential for Motel 6 to pay money to charities will still be part of a renegotiated deal coming soon.

“If you don’t have some place for money to go, if not enough class members come forward, then it would be a windfall for Motel 6,” he said.

Brnovich can re-submit his objection once a motion to approve a new proposed settlement is filed. The motion, expected to come from MALDEF and Motel 6, is due June 28.

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