Lawsuit over Jefferson City hotel’s tax records put on hold

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The lawsuit Jefferson City filed against the owner of the Quality Inn earlier this summer has been put on pause.

Court documents in previous reporting say the city sued DEAA Hospitality and Paresh Patel after the city requested records regarding its lodging tax and did not receive them by the June 1 deadline. The city also requested state tax returns for 2024 and 2025.

Nathan Nickolaus, whose law firm is representing the city, told ABC 17 News in a Friday message that the city received those records.

"Yes, we have now received data from the hotelier,” Nickolaus wrote. “We are examining what we have to see if it is complete.  We will hold off on further action pending that determination.  We take compliance with these audits seriously so that everyone is paying their fair share."