State board seeks actions against Best Western contractor, employees

BOONE, N.C. — Eyewitness News has learned of new developments in the investigation into three deaths at a Boone Hotel last year.

Three hotel employees and a local contractor could be punished for the carbon monoxide leak from a faulty pool heater that killed an elderly couple and then an 11-year-old boy weeks later.

It's not clear what the contractor's involvement was with the faulty pool heater at the Best Western but Eyewitness News' partners at the Watauga Democrat report that the state board of examiners will hold a hearing to determine his punishment.

The board also filed a complaint against three maintenance workers for the hotel's management company. It said they installed the pool heater and exhaust pipes without a proper license.

Earlier this month a grand jury indicted the management company's president, Damon Mallatere, on involuntary manslaughter charges. He has denied responsibility.

WSOC