March 29, 2024

Timeshares

Engineering the law: Marriott Vacations Worldwide's class-action timeshare battle

Jason Garcia | 10/26/2017

“To be clear, we view this as an admission that Marriott was violating the rights of purchasers and owners under existing law — precisely in the manner alleged in the complaint,” Norton says. “We hope the court will see it for what it is: A failed attempt to manipulate the political process to mask wrongdoing.”

The two Florida legislators who carried the bill claim they never knew about the Marriott lawsuit while they were working on the legislation. Both said they only learned of it weeks after the session ended. Asked about his reaction upon learning that his own bill could affect an active lawsuit, Hutson says only that he was “surprised.” La Rosa, meanwhile, describes himself as “still learning more about the motivation of both sides.”

‘Bigger than a lawsuit’

A spokesman for Marriott declined to comment on either the lawsuit or the legislation. But Hunter, the lobbyist for the American Resort Development Association who worked the bill, says the goal of the legislation isn’t just to help Marriott defend itself. It is, he says, meant to protect the entire timeshare industry from similar attacks in the future, should a judge, who is unlikely to be familiar with the history and intricacies of timeshare law, interpret state statutes in a way that no one in the industry ever intended.

“This was bigger than a lawsuit,” Hunter says. A negative ruling “could have a consequence of being devastating, conceivably, to the industry.”

Everyone must now wait to see if the legislative strategy worked.

In late September, Mendoza, the judge presiding over the case, granted Marriott’s motion to dismiss — but gave the Lennens permission to refile with a clearer, more concise complaint. Norton said his clients intend to try again.

Anthony and Beth Lennen owned two weeks at Marriott’s Crystal Shores on Marco Island. They claim the switch to a points system cheats them by diluting the value of their timeshare real estate.

Jeffrey Norton represents the Lennens in their class-action lawsuit. He calls Marriott’s actions “shady backroom deal-making.”

Timeshare industry lobbyist Gary Hunter worked with state Rep. Mike La Rosa and state Sen. Travis Hutson on adding two provisions to a bill while it was still in the drafting phase and exempt from public records laws.

 

See other stories from Florida Trend's November issue.

Get Florida Trend's November magazine – print or digital. Select from these options:

EXISTING
DIGITAL
SUBSCRIBERS

Access Article Now!

DIGITAL
SINGLE
ISSUE

Get a single DIGITAL copy of this issue

$4.95

PRINT
SINGLE
ISSUE

Get a single PRINT copy of this issue

$4.95
plus $3 postage & handling

PRINT SUBSCRIPTION

One year in PRINT

$14.98*
plus a FREE gift!

DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION

One year DIGITAL

$14.98*
plus a FREE gift!

ALL ACCESS SUBSCRIPTION

One year Combo
PRINT + DIGITAL

$24.95*
plus a FREE gift!


CURRENT  PRINT  SUBSCRIBERS

If you are already a print subscriber,
ADD DIGITAL EDITION ACCESS
to your existing subscription here!
(or call our office at 727-892-2643)

* offer valid for new subscribers only

Tags: Timeshares

Florida Business News

Florida News Releases

Florida Trend Video Pick

Facial recognition cameras in Florida city spark privacy concerns
Facial recognition cameras in Florida city spark privacy concerns

New security cameras in downtown Lakeland are raising concerns about privacy. The Lakeland Downtown Development Authority has begun installing 13 new security cameras on streets, sidewalks, and alleyways, and there are mixed feelings about them.

Video Picks | Viewpoints@FloridaTrend

Ballot Box

Should Congress ban the popular social media app TikTok in the U.S.?

  • Yes
  • No
  • Need more details
  • What is TikTok?
  • Other (Comment below)

See Results

Florida Trend Media Company
490 1st Ave S
St Petersburg, FL 33701
727.821.5800

© Copyright 2024 Trend Magazines Inc. All rights reserved.