ESPN Reporter Erin Andrews Sues Radisson, Marriott Hotel Chains in Stalking Case

(July 16) -- Erin Andrews says hotels should pay -- more than $1 million -- for making her the easy target of a stalker.

The 32-year-old ESPN sportscaster is suing Radisson Hotels International Inc. and Marriott International Inc. for alleged negligence. She charges they gave out private information, such as her room number, allowing a man obsessed with her to secretly video her naked through a hotel keyhole. She is seeking $1.2 million from the hotel chains, according to The Associated Press.

She is also suing Michael David Barrett, who pleaded guilty to stalking Andrews last year, for invasion of privacy and inflicting emotional distress. In 2008, Barrett rented rooms across the hall from Andrews, videoed her while she was undressed and then uploaded the images to the Internet. The lawsuit was filed Thursday in a circuit court in Cook County, Ill.

"Not only did the hotels confirm that Ms. Andrews was intending to register as a guest, but they also released, without Ms. Andrews' consent, her room number," her lawyers said in a statement, according to CNN. "The hotels then provided Michael David Barrett a hotel room immediately adjacent to hers."

Barrett, a 47-year-old former insurance salesman, is serving 30 months behind bars for stalking Andrews.

"Although I'll never be able to fully erase the impact that this invasion of privacy has had upon me and my family, I do hope that my experience will cause the hospitality industry to be more vigilant in protecting its guests from the time they reserve a hotel room until they check out," Andrews said in a statement.

Radisson Hotels said it did not have any immediate comment today. California-based Marriott could not be reached for comment this morning.