By MONA NAIR
6 News Reporter
PIGEON FORGE (WATE) – In 2011, Trip Advisor named Grand Resort Hotel "America's Dirtiest Hotel".
Several employees told 6 News on Wednesday that the owner, Ken Seaton, who we've reported on in the past, has sold that hotel.
They also tell us several other motels he owns were taken over by a bank recently.
Earlier in 2012, we reported on a Family Inns of America in Townsend owned by Seaton. That motel was shut down due to excessive mold as well as several other violations.
The owner did not return our phone calls for comment, but a staff member tipped us off to an office where we'd find him.
"No, no, no thank you. I've been in enough publicity," Seaton said, declining an interview, before asking us to leave.
We saw furniture being hauled away in a rather empty Grand Resort Hotel parking lot Wednesday evening.
Workers inside told us they could lose their jobs after Sunday.
Pigeon Forge Tourism Director Leon Downey reminded us the hotel's location is prime real estate.
"I think we have to look to the future. We can't change the past," Downey said, about the shake-up.
Seaton said he plans to put out a news release outlining what happened, at some point in the future.
In 2011, Trip Advisor named Grand Resort Hotel "America's Dirtiest Hotel".
The hotel's location is prime real estate in Pigeon Forge.
Workers haul away furniture at the Grand Resort Hotel on Wednesday evening.
"I think we have to look to the future. We can't change the past," Pigeon Forge Tourism Director Leon Downey said.
