Russo said two of the three hotels are located along "the track," an area along and near International Boulevard that he said is known for prostitution and the sexual exploitation of minors. He said those hotels are the Economy Inn at E. He said that under state law hotel owners are responsible for preventing prostitution on their properties.
A manager at the Economy Inn who declined to give his name said he didn't want to comment on the lawsuit and said "I don't know anything" about possible criminal activity there. John Patel, whose family runs the National Lodge, said the hotel has posted signs saying "absolutely no prostitution," scans identification cards and takes other steps to try to stop prostitution there.
Patel said, "We're trying to get rid of the problem ourselves" and alleged that city officials and police have been unhelpful. Patel said there is prostitution at many motels in Oakland and he believes the National Lodge is being singled out.
Russo said the lawsuits are "a small piece of a broader effort" to fight prostitution and the sexual exploitation of children that also includes the Oakland Police Department, the Alameda County District Attorney's Office and other agencies. He was joined at the news conference by District Attorney Nancy O'Malley, whose Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit is spearheading a comprehensive effort to combat commercial sexual exploitation of minors in Oakland and Alameda County.
O'Malley said, "Oakland unfortunately has gotten a lot of attention for prostitution and the trafficking of underage girls," but said the city and county are also taking innovative steps to try to fight the problem. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Bay City News contributed to this report. Featured Local Savings.
