Dispute over rules and refund leads to legal battle between guest and host

A man is taking legal action against an Airbnb host after she allegedly sent compromising pictures of him to his wife following a negative review.

Shawn Mackey had been staying at a property in Tennessee hosted by Pamela Fohler when the incident occurred. The trouble began when Fohler accused Mackey of violating several of her rules, including hosting unauthorized guests and causing disturbances.

In response, Fohler asked Mackey to leave, prompting him to request a refund and leave a negative review. However, Airbnb removed the review and billed Mackey $960, citing fines for rule violations and moderation of his review.

The situation escalated when Fohler sent Mackey a picture taken from the property’s doorbell camera, showing him with another woman. Despite Mackey’s refusal to pay the fees, Fohler proceeded to send the picture to his wife, leading to strain in their marriage.

Mackey is now seeking damages and an injunction to prevent similar actions by Airbnb hosts. Airbnb has responded by filing a motion for arbitration, while Fohler has filed a motion to dismiss. The case is ongoing, with Mackey expected to respond by February 21.

The incident serves as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of disputes between Airbnb guests and hosts, highlighting the importance of clear communication and adherence to rules to avoid such conflicts.