Federal judge dismisses suit over hotel bombing

By Eric Tucker Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) -- A federal judge in Maryland has dismissed a lawsuit against Marriott International stemming from a 2008 suicide bomb attack in Pakistan that killed more than 50 people. The suit was brought last June by the family of Albert DiFederico, who was in Pakistan as a civilian contractor. It alleged that Marriott was negligent in defending the Islamabad hotel against terrorist attacks. U.S. District Judge Roger Titus dismissed the lawsuit last week, saying the case should be heard in Pakistan. The judge says the case would require the testimony of Pakistani citizens, and he can't force them to appear. Marriott is based in Maryland. The judge says the hotel is owned and operated by a Marriott franchisee and that Marriott has little control over security procedures. Published: Thu, May 3, 2012