J.M.
J.M. v. Choice Hotels Internat'l, Inc.
Opinion
Trial Court Opinion
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 J.M., No. 2:22-cv-00672-KJM-JDP Plaintiff, ORDER v. Choice Hotels International, Inc. and Red Roof Inns, Inc., Defendants. 17 In recent years, survivors of sex trafficking have filed numerous civil suits against hotel 19 brand franchisors, franchisees, and related entities alleging violations of the Trafficking Victims 20 Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA), 18 U.S.C. § 1595. In 2020, plaintiffs in six of these actions moved to centralize approximately three dozen cases in a multidistrict litigation (MDL). Inre Hotel Indus. Sex Trafficking Litig., 433 F. Supp. 3d 1353 (U.S. Jud. Pan. Mult. Lit. Feb. 5, 2020). The MDL Panel denied the motion because of the “unique issues concerning” the 24 allegations in each of the actions, including the lack of a predominant defendant. /d. at 1356. As 25 aresult, federal district courts across the country are tackling these suits…