* Some background from a WAND TV report in March…

The Wyndham Springfield City Centre is temporarily closed one day after WAND News reported that lawmakers had to leave their stays early due to water pouring through the elevators.

Springfield Fire Chief Ed Canny told WAND News that the hotel does not currently have working sprinklers, fire alarms, or elevators. Due to the code violations, no guests will be allowed to stay until the issues are resolved.

SFD was initially called for a fire alarm, but found no fire. It was during this investigation that the department found the broken equipment.

The Springfield Police Department is currently investigating the damage to the hotel as intentional vandalism.

* And now a new bombshell report from WAND…

New court filings accuse the owner of the Wyndham in Springfield of intentionally vandalizing his own hotel, causing serious water damage to the property. […]

(I)n June, hotel owner Al Rajabi sued his insurance company, claiming Affiliated FM Insurance was stalling to pay the claim. Rajabi said he was losing thousands of dollars on cancelled reservations and events.

However, Affiliated FM filed a countersuit against Rajabi Monday night.

The company said it hired a private investigator who determined, “Mr. Rajabi colluded with others to cause the damage, and/or the damage was caused by other individuals with the knowledge of Mr. Rajabi.”

Mr. Rajabi’s lawsuit is here.

* From the insurance company’s counter-suit…

FM AFFILIATED retained Michele Sutphin, of Legacy 1811 Investigations and Consulting, to assist in its investigation. Ms. Sutphin conducted an extensive investigation on behalf of FM AFFILIATED. Ms. Sutphin’s investigation included, but was not limited to, interviewing numerous people, including former employees of the Hotel. Ms. Sutphin’s investigation also included, but was not limited to, the review and analysis of documents and information. Ms. Sutphin’s 4 August 2025 summary report, which details her investigation and findings, is attached. […]

FM AFFILIATED has determined that the vandalism and resulting loss and damage that occurred in the early morning of 27 March 2025 at the Hotel was intentionally caused by Mr. Rajabi, Mr. Rajabi colluded with others to cause the damage, and/or the damage was caused by other individuals with the knowledge of Mr. Rajabi. Accordingly, there is no coverage.

FM AFFLIATED’s conclusion is based on the entirety of its investigation, including, but not limited to, the findings of Ms. Sutphin as summarized in her 4 August 2025 report, the interview memoranda prepared by Ms. Sutphin and provided to FM AFFILIATED, the testimony under oath of Ms. Wray, Mr. Reimer, and Ms. Kienzler, as well as other documents and information provided to FM AFFILIATED. […]

As explained above, the vandalism and resulting loss and damage that occurred in the early morning of 27 March 2025, at the Hotel was intentionally caused by Mr. Rajabi, Mr. Rajabi colluded with others to cause the damage, and/or the damage was caused by other individuals with the knowledge of Mr. Rajabi. Accordingly, there is no coverage.

In addition, there were willful misrepresentations and concealments of material facts. Mr. Rajabi represented to FM AFFILIATED that two individuals who are former employees were likely involved in causing the loss and were being investigated by the local police. Mr. Rajabi also represented to FM AFFILIATED that the loss was likely caused by disgruntled employees without his knowledge. Further, Mr. Rajabi concealed his involvement causing the damage, as well as his conduct and actions leading up to the loss. Finally, through his misrepresentations and concealments related to this loss, Mr. Rajabi intended to deceive FM AFFILIATED or materially affect the claim. Accordingly, there is no coverage.