In a landmark settlement, three Philadelphia motels accused of allowing the trafficking of minors into prostitution have agreed to pay $17.5 million to three women who alleged they were exploited on the properties. The settlement, finalized late Thursday in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, brings an end to a lawsuit that accused the motels of negligence, failing to implement proper security measures, and ignoring blatant signs of criminal activity.
The case targeted the owners of Motel 6, Days Inn, and North American Motor Inn, marking a pivotal moment in the legal fight against businesses accused of facilitating sex trafficking.
A Systemic Failure: Negligence, Lax Security, and Missed Red Flags
The lawsuit, filed by survivors identified as T.S., B.S., and D.T., detailed harrowing allegations of neglect. According to the complaint, the motels overlooked obvious indicators of sex trafficking, including:
- Guests renting adjacent rooms under different names
- Housekeeping services being declined for extended stays
- Large amounts of cash exchanged in plain sight
- Physical injuries on female guests displaying signs of fear and anxiety
- Excessive condom wrappers found in rooms
Rather than taking action, the plaintiffs argued, the motels failed to hire qualified security, enforce policies against criminal activity, or train staff to recognize and report trafficking-related behavior.
“It’s deeply disturbing that children were being raped and trafficked in these motels while ownership stood idly by,” said Nadeem Bezar, an attorney from Kline & Specter PC, representing the plaintiffs.
