Lawsuit: Airbnb Host Sends Wife Photo of Cheating Husband in Retaliation for Negative Review

In a startling turn of events that blurs the lines between privacy and policy enforcement, Shawn Mackey finds himself embroiled in a legal battle against his Airbnb host, Pamela Fohler, in Tennessee. The dispute escalated when Fohler allegedly sent a compromising photograph of Mackey with a woman, not his wife, to his spouse, igniting a firestorm of personal turmoil and public litigation.

Mackey, who had been lodging at Fohler’s property, communicated his intentions to possibly have a friend over for dinner—a proposal to which Fohler initially agreed. However, the hospitality agreement soon soured. Fohler’s home came with a stringent set of rules, including prohibitions on local guests, as well as restrictions on food, drinks, glass, and parking. A breach of these terms, particularly the introduction of additional guests, would result in eviction.

The situation deteriorated when Fohler accused Mackey of violating the no-party rule, creating a disturbance, and hosting unauthorized guests, leading to his immediate eviction. Following his departure, Mackey sought a refund of $502.46 and left a negative review. In an unexpected twist, Airbnb not only removed his review but also levied a bill against him totaling $960 for various infractions, including fines for additional guests, noise violations, and the contentious review moderation.

The conflict took a more personal and invasive turn when Fohler dispatched to Mackey a doorbell camera snapshot of him in a potentially compromising scenario with a woman who was not his wife. Despite Mackey’s refusal to comply with the financial demands, Fohler proceeded to send the photo to his wife, leading to considerable strain on his marriage.

In response to what he deems as ‘harassment’, Mackey is now pursuing legal action, seeking unspecified actual and punitive damages, and an injunction to prevent similar incidents involving other Airbnb customers. As the case unfolds, Airbnb has motioned for arbitration, while Fohler has requested a dismissal. Mackey has until February 21 to submit his response, marking the next chapter in this unsettling saga of privacy invasion and the quest for justice in the digital age.