NEw YORK – Hilton Hotels has placed executives Ross Klein and Amar Lalvani on administrative leave pending an internal review of corporate espionage claims made by Starwood Hotels & Resorts.
Hilton has also suspended development of its nascent Denizen Hotels brand, which Starwood claims was conceived using stolen documents related to the W Hotels brand.
Hilton has formally acknowledged receipt of a writ requesting documents relating to Hilton’s employment of former Starwood employees and allegedly stolen materials that Hilton returned to Starwood in February.
Last week Starwood allege in court documents that former executives Klein and Lalvani, and Hilton, unlawfully obtained and used Starwood information
A Hilton media release last month was gushing in its praise for the new Denizen brand.
It quoted Klein, who said, “The term denizen literally means citizen of the world. We created this new brand in homage to guests who desire and deserve the best hotel experiences, both on an emotional and functional level.â€
This report was compiled from various international sources
