CHARLESTON, W.Va. — MetroNews statewide correspondent Brad McElhinny reports the owners of a defaulting Morgantown hotel say they fell behind on financial obligations such as taxes owed to the State of West Virginia and to Monongalia County because the property’s lender continued to take its full monthly debt service despite pleas that the economy was becoming more challenging.
Mountain Blue Hotel Group made its claims in a filing today in United States Bankruptcy Court in the Middle District of Florida. It was one of several recent filings by the hotel owners on a variety of topics.
The investors are trying to regain access to the Hilton Garden Inn in Morgantown, which has had its management transferred to a receiver.
Mountain Blue is owned by an investment group led by developer William Abruzzino, a Shinnston native who now lives in Florida. The hotel is one of several Abruzzino properties currently the subject of lawsuits or bankruptcy proceedings.
The hotel’s lender is trying to have the case dismissed from bankruptcy court for the second time.
Read more from Brad McElhinny here.