Hilton Hotels Sued In Mercedes Case

Private Investigation Firm Also Named In Civil Lawsuit

HOUSTON, Feb. 21, 2003 | by Dan Collins

(AP)  A private investigation firm and a hotel chain were added Thursday as defendants in a civil lawsuit brought against a woman convicted last week of mowing down her husband in her Mercedes-Benz.

The lawsuit blames Clara Harris for David Harris' death and seeks to bar her from access to his estate, valued at more than $6 million. It was filed by David Harris' ex-wife, Debra Shank, on behalf of their daughter, Lindsey Harris.

On Thursday, Shank named Beverly Hills, Calif.-based Hilton Hotels Corp. and Blue Moon Investigations in the suit, claiming they bear some responsibility in David Harris' death.

Clara Harris, a 45-year-old dentist, ran over her orthodontist husband last year in the parking lot of a Hilton in suburban Houston after finding him there with his receptionist-turned-lover. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison Feb. 14.

The lawsuit alleges Hilton failed to properly train employees to handle confrontations, and that the private investigation firm violated industry policy by telling Clara Harris where her husband could be found.

Blue Moon vice president Bobbi Bacha said her employees simply upheld their contract with Clara Harris, who hired the agency to follow her husband. Bacha said she violated the contract by going to the hotel that night.

Kathy Shepard, a spokeswoman for Hilton Hotels, said she hadn't seen the suit and it was the company's policy not to comment on pending litigation.

The amended lawsuit seeks unspecified damages from Hilton. From Blue Moon, it seeks the proceeds of the story rights Bacha and her husband sold to CBS. That money would be placed in a trust for Lindsey Harris and her 4-year-old twin stepbrothers.

By Pam Easton © MMIII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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