Indian motel owner in ratty dilemma
Title
Indian motel owner in ratty dilemma
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3
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Call it a difference between spotting and smelling a rat. An Orthodox Jewish family accused an Indian American motel owner of Days Inn in the town of Catskill, near Albany, of forcing them out of his place because they reportedly complained about spotting a rat.
But owner Mathai George, originally from Palakkad in Kerala, said that Rafael Streicher and Devorah Streicher created unpleasant scenes in front of other guests and hotel employees, refused to pay their bill and made religiously hurtful remarks, all of which led George to oust them.
State troopers were called to escort the family out.
The Streichers plan to sue the franchise and hotel corporation for civil rights violation, according to the New York Post. George, who is a Christian, alleged that during an argument Rafael said Muslims from Pakistan and Indian owned the place and that was the reason why his family was being treated in a manner different from the other guests.
In the same weekend we had many guests in the motel who were like him (Jewish). They had no problem and they didnt complain that we treated them differently, said George, who has run the franchise with his family for 10 years.
He said their inflammatory comments forced him call the police before violence erupted. Muslim workers from Saudi Arabia at the motel reportedly took serious offence to the Jewish couples comments.
George also said the couple wanted their room upgraded but refused to pay for it. They paid a deal price of $150 a day and they refused to pay the $249 regular charge for an upgraded room. He (Rafael) came in to my office and threatened me. He said he was going to sue the place.
They claimed they saw a rat in the hallway but they actually wanted an upgraded room for a deal price. And I didnt agree to that, said George. He said that he smelt a rat in their complaint.
But the dailys report said George demanded that they pay the difference in cash immediately, although it was Friday, the Jewish Sabbath. During Sabbath, Orthodox Jews do not conduct any business transactions.
Police arrived at the motel upon Georges call and told the Streichers to leave immediately. The family members couldnt drive on the holy day and walked behind their car as a Days Inn employee drove it to another hotel 15 minutes away.
But owner Mathai George, originally from Palakkad in Kerala, said that Rafael Streicher and Devorah Streicher created unpleasant scenes in front of other guests and hotel employees, refused to pay their bill and made religiously hurtful remarks, all of which led George to oust them.
State troopers were called to escort the family out.
The Streichers plan to sue the franchise and hotel corporation for civil rights violation, according to the New York Post. George, who is a Christian, alleged that during an argument Rafael said Muslims from Pakistan and Indian owned the place and that was the reason why his family was being treated in a manner different from the other guests.
In the same weekend we had many guests in the motel who were like him (Jewish). They had no problem and they didnt complain that we treated them differently, said George, who has run the franchise with his family for 10 years.
He said their inflammatory comments forced him call the police before violence erupted. Muslim workers from Saudi Arabia at the motel reportedly took serious offence to the Jewish couples comments.
George also said the couple wanted their room upgraded but refused to pay for it. They paid a deal price of $150 a day and they refused to pay the $249 regular charge for an upgraded room. He (Rafael) came in to my office and threatened me. He said he was going to sue the place.
They claimed they saw a rat in the hallway but they actually wanted an upgraded room for a deal price. And I didnt agree to that, said George. He said that he smelt a rat in their complaint.
But the dailys report said George demanded that they pay the difference in cash immediately, although it was Friday, the Jewish Sabbath. During Sabbath, Orthodox Jews do not conduct any business transactions.
Police arrived at the motel upon Georges call and told the Streichers to leave immediately. The family members couldnt drive on the holy day and walked behind their car as a Days Inn employee drove it to another hotel 15 minutes away.
Vtmbh article date
2002-08-17
Vtmbh article edition
32
Vtmbh article hit count
172
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Vtmbh article line breaks
1
Vtmbh article original language
English
Vtmbh article publication
India Tribune
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briefs
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Vtmbh article title
Indian motel owner in ratty dilemma
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Source
born-digital
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article
Created by Author
yes
Described by Author
no
Date Entered
2002-08-17
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Citation
“Indian motel owner in ratty dilemma,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed October 1, 2026, https://911.dev.chnm.gmu.edu/items/1637/.