St. Louis-Based Hotel Chain Settles Lawsuit

A St. Louis-based hotel chain has reached a settlement with the US Department of Justice over a discrimination lawsuit. Attorney General Janet Reno says the Adams Mark Hotel chain has agreed to pay eight million dollars to settle two lawsuits–one filed by the Justice Department and one by private plaintiffs in Florida. The lawsuits accused the Adams Mark of trying to limit the number of black customers at its 21 hotels, of renting less desirable rooms to black customers, and of charging higher room rates to black guests. Under the settlement, the Adams Mark agrees to let an independent party investigate any complaints and to establish a marketing plan to attract black customers.