For 39 years, Tom Bodett encouraged people to stay at Motel 6 with his signature line “We’ll leave the light on for you.” Now he’s suing the hotel chain.
“Motel 6’s new owners made a number of excuses for their failure to make the required payment,” the suit reads. “First, they blamed the delay on the ownership transition and the need to work ‘through bank transfers.’ Then, they claimed with no proof whatsoever that Plaintiffs had not performed their obligations under the Agreements, and threatened to sue Plaintiffs for non-performance if Mr. Bodett would not agree to simply let Motel 6’s breach lie.”
Bodett, in the court filing, said he spent five months trying to find a way for the partnership to end amicably and without “undue negative publicity,” but says the company has “only responded with misrepresentations, obfuscations, and delay tactics.” He’s seeking $1.2 million and additional damages.
G6 Hospitality, Motel 6’s immediate parent, did not immediately reply to Fortune‘s request for comment about the complaint.
