The Travelodge on Market Street stands accused of racism against a few noted patrons, who are black, after a skirmish over credit cards and incidentals resulted in some pretty astounding behavior from the motel's manager. Allegedly. See, New Orleans funk band the Meters played at Brick and Mortor last week. After a sound check, the club's manager, Jason Perkins, and the band arrived at the hotel to check in. That's when things got ugly.

Via Boing Boing, Perkins reports on what went down:

"I bought 4 rooms for the band and prepaid for them on debit card. After sound check, Leo and the band went to the hotel and tried to check in. The manager refused to accept 3 of 4 members credit cards for incidentals (4th member is Rich Vogel/white dude). Leo called me and (my family and I) drove to the hotel at 7:30 pm. I asked what the hell and manager pointed at 3 members and said he wouldn't accept credit cards and "those people" need to pay cash deposit. When I asked what did he mean by "those people" - he pointed at Leo and said "black people."

This isn't the first time that the Valencia Street motel has been accused of racism. East Bay Express has more:

Perkins told us he argued with the manager through a hole in a plastic window, pressing him as to why he would not even let the band into the lobby. The manager told Perkins the hotel "didn't take credit cards from those people," finally admitting that by "those people" he meant "black people."

When Perkins called the police to the scene, they said this was not the first time they'd had similar complaints about that Travelodge. The police tried to negotiate a full refund for Perkins, which the hotel denied him.

Gross.

However, according to the hotel manager, who goes by the name of "Mr. Matthew," he was merely upset over credit cards that allegedly had insufficient funds. Examiner. com reports:

Travelodge Central manager who identified himself only as Matthew W., claims hotel policy is to deny access to those whose credit cards reflect insufficient funds. When asked if Mr. Nocentelli’s credit card had been run through for a credit check, Mr. W. responded, “there are cameras in the hotel.” Mr. W. then stated he was being harassed and hung up the phone.

A post on the New Parish's Facebook page -- a club that, coincidentally, fell victim to a similar controversy twice before -- where the band also performed this past weekend, has led to hundreds of comments and calls and emails to Travelodge corporate. (The Travelodge in question, we should point out, is independently owned and operated.)