Couples Awarded Damages In Lawsuit

A federal jury has awarded two southeastern Idaho couples $358,000 in an age discrimination lawsuit against Motel 6 Corp.

The eight-member jury found that Motel 6 corporate management willfully discriminated against the plaintiffs, who were in their late 50s, 60s and early 70s when they were fired in 1993 and 1994.

Dolores and Jim Fennern of Idaho Falls had managed several western Motel 6 motels for 13 years. When they were terminated in 1994, they were told their work was unsatisfactory.

Donna and Art Huttinger of Chubbuck had worked for the company for eight years and were managing the Chubbuck Motel 6 in 1993 when they were fired. They were told they violated security policies.

Dolores Fennern said she and her husband decided to sue only after the company did not respond to letters seeking the couple’s jobs back.

Motel 6 spokesman Emmett Gosson said the company intends to ask U.S. District Judge Lynn Winmill, who heard the case, to reverse the jury’s decision.

“We are convinced, as we were throughout the investigation and trial, that these allegations are without foundation,” Gosson said.

The jury, which deliberated for about five hours before reaching its decision, awarded the Fennerns $149,999 plus $80,054 in punitive damages. The Huttingers were awarded $125,949. Because they sued under state law, their punitive damages are limited to $2,000.

Gosson said if Winmill does not reverse the jury’s decision, Motel 6 will appeal.