Judge sides with Michael Irwin and orders Marriott to provide evidence in defamation lawsuit

DALLAS – The judge sided with great Cowboys member Michael Irwin in his libel suit against Marriott Hotels.

The judge granted Irwin’s request and will require Marriott to quickly provide evidence in the case.

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A waiter at the Renaissance Phoenix Hotel & Spa accused him of harassing her and making inappropriate comments when they were in the lobby just before the Super Bowl.

Irwin denies any wrongdoing and said there are witnesses who support his claim that he briefly shook the woman’s hand and then went to his room to go to bed.

The former wide receiver was subsequently kicked out of his hotel and banned from all Super Bowl broadcasts on the NFL network.

Earlier this week, Marriott filed a motion asking a judge to dismiss Irwin’s lawsuit or take it to an Arizona federal court. The lawsuit was filed in the county court of Collin County, where Irvine lives.

Marriott also said it objected to Irwin’s request to release security footage on the grounds of “lack of personal jurisdiction and inappropriate location.”

The hotel chain must now provide Irwin with all video footage and witness statements related to the incident.