| BRAD SALTZMAN July 8, 2003 The Modesto hotel manager who turned away Scott Peterson's parents said he was forced to resign last week."They gave me a choice to resign or be fired," said Brad Saltzman, former general manager of the Red Lion Hotel. "I chose to resign." Saltzman had welcomed Lee and Jackie Peterson until Lee Peterson went on a national cable television show to complain about Laci Peterson's family removing items from his son's home. Saltzman said he decided to pull the welcome mat after he heard Lee, on television accuse Laci's mother Sharon Rocha of burglarizing (on LKL) her daughter's house May 30. Saltzman said he suggested to the Petersons that they could get a better rate elsewhere. Before that, Saltzman had tried to make the Petersons feel welcome by giving them discounted rates while they were in town looking for Laci Peterson. He made headlines two weeks ago when he revealed that change of heart to media. "I just couldn't rent Lee a room," said Saltzman. "I just couldn't be in that hotel and be the presiding general manager and have Lee Peterson staying there." "I've always been a 'yes' man. And for once in my life I stood up for what I believe in and it feels so good, I can't even begin to tell you," said Saltzman. Thursday, Red Lion executives flew Saltzman to corporate headquarters in Kansas and gave him his final paycheck. Saltzman said he was shocked to be asked to leave the chain. Hotel executives could not be reached for comment Monday. Ron Grantski, Laci Peterson's stepfather, said he thought Red Lion management had "made a mistake" by pressuring Saltzman to resign. "I know the Red Lion has lost a good man -- one with scruples, integrity and honesty," Grantski said. Saltzman said he has two job interviews this week with two upscale hotel companies. After The Bee attempted to contact Red Lion executives Monday, Saltzman said a hotel representative called and threatened to blacklist him in the industry for publicizing his departure. ************** UPDATE 7-9-2003 MANAGER DEFENDED -- Sharon Rocha, mother of Laci Peterson, reportedly asked a hotel management company to take back a Modesto hotel executive whose show of support to Rocha's family cost him his job. Brad Saltzman, former general manager of the Red Lion Hotel, turned away Scott Peterson's parents after hearing his father criticize Rocha on national television. Linquist & Craig Hotels & Resorts Inc., Saltzman's employer, forced him to resign last week, Saltzman said. RELATED STORY NATIONAL ENQUIRER STORY HOME INDEX LACI SCOTT TRIAL WITNESS LIST PETERSON FAMILY |
| LACI & CONNER My prayers are with the entire Rocha family This is so crushing - Lorraine from New Jersey |
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