Woodstock Lodge Suing Travel Channel Over TV Appearance

After appearing on a shocking episode of Hotel Impossible, owners of The Woodstock Lodge are now reportedly pursuing a lawsuit against the Travel Channel. The Woodstock Times is reporting that Carlo and Annie Pombo are currently in litigation over the way their property was portrayed on the episode titled "Rotting Woodstock."

On the episode, host Anthony Melchiorri took the owners of the lodge to task for their poor management of the property. He found asbestos tiles, mold, warped foundations, animal infestations, exposed electrical panels, detached toilets, leaky ceilings, a crumbling septic tank and more. His final suggestion was to completely tear down the buildings because they were a health and safety hazard.

In reaction to our recap of the show, many people were stunned to hear that the lodge was still operating and accepting reservations. Comments on the article were unified in their disbelief that no government agency has shut them down:

Why doesn't the county or state sanitation dept close this place????? If the hotels in NY are not inspected, is it safe to stay in any of them?????????????? -Jay Wohlrab

WHY WHY WHY did the NY health department not SHUT THEM DOWN? Seriously!!! -Denise Pagano

I wonder if we can email the New York state sanitation dept. or anyone to close this place down before someone is seriously injured or killed. This has to be the worst place l have ever seen on this show... This guy is gonna kill someone and he should be shut down before he can do that. I think there are several laws he has to be breaking, arrest him. If anyone has info on where we can submit letters or emails to in New York plz post because I'm sure no can't be the only one who would be willing to write. Boo on this "hotel owner". Criminal is more like it, l am furious. -Shayne Raulerson

An investigation by The Woodstock Times found that properties such as hotels and motels are regulated by state laws dictated by the the state Department of Health. Requests for information about oversight at The Woodstock Lodge by The Times were repeatedly denied because of a lack of authorization from from the county executive. Town of Woodstock supervisor, Jeremy Wilber confirmed that the inspections are not up to the town, but to the county.

If a lawsuit has indeed been filed, it may be quite an uphill battle for the lodge owners. Reality show participants sign lengthy legal documents that allow producers to record and say pretty much anything and release the show from any sort of liability. We will keep you posted as this drama filled TV episode continues off-screen.