Erin Andrews Ups the Ante in Peephole Case

NASHVILLE (CN) - Sportscaster Erin Andrews wants $75 million from a convicted stalker and the hotel where he recorded video of her naked through a peephole, according to a new court filing.

In an amended complaint filed Tuesday, Andrews says she is seeking the eight-figure sum from Marriott International, West End Hotel Partners, Windsor Capital Group and Michael Barrett.

The sports journalist stayed at the Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt University hotel on Sept. 2, 2008. Barrett requested a hotel room next to Andrews', altered her room's peephole, and recorded video of Andrews changing and getting dressed, according to her lawsuit.

"Defendant Barrett then posted the surreptitious videos of plaintiff on the Internet from Illinois, thereby allowing, permitting, and disseminating the illegal and unauthorized videos worldwide," the complaint states. "On July 16, 2009, plaintiff Erin Andrews became aware for the first time that she had been surreptitiously videotaped while changing and/or getting dressed at various hotel rooms and that her privacy had been invaded."

She says the hotel was negligent for revealing to Barrett where she was staying, and for failing to discover that he had altered the peephole in her room.

Barrett was sentenced in 2010 to two and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to interstate stalking with the intent to harass. He admitted to stalking Andrews for 18 months and tracking her to at least three hotel rooms in three states.

"Barrett made the videos after removing the peephole device from the door in one of the hotel rooms and using his mobile phone to capture video of Ms. Andrews while she was naked," according to a U.S. Attorney's Office press release. "In January 2009, TMZ.com was offered the opportunity to purchase the nude videos via email messages, an offer that the celebrity website immediately declined. Barrett subsequently posted 10 of the videos on the Internet, identifying Ms. Andrews as the victim."

Andrews' original lawsuit was filed Dec. 1, 2011, in Davidson County, Tenn. court. She initially sought $10 million. At the time, she was represented in Nashville by Mary Parker of Parker & Crofford.

Tuesday's amended complaint adds $65 million to the requested damages. Andrews is now represented in the case by Randall Kinnard of Kinnard, Clayton & Beveridge in Nashville.

The reporter is suing the Nashville hotel and Barrett for negligence, infliction of emotional distress and invasion of privacy.

Andrews made identical allegations in a 2010 lawsuit filed in Cook County, Ill., against Barrett, Marriott, Radisson, and other hotels.

In 2012, Travelers Insurance filed a complaint challenging the scope of coverage that it owes Marriott in defending Andrews' claims.

In addition to her work for Fox Sports, Andrews also co-hosts "Dancing with the Stars" for ABC. She used to work on ESPN's "College GameDay."

Trial for the sportscaster's Nashville lawsuit is scheduled for Feb. 22, 2016, according to court records.

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Email *

Submit