Tales of the Chateau

In “Tales of the Chateau” (Sept. 14), Chris Hodenfield writes: “When Bob Woodward’s death opus on (John) Belushi went to the stores with a dust jacket that called the Chateau (Marmont) ‘seedy,’ the hotel owners had to sue. They won a retraction.”

The statement is inaccurate. An action was brought by the hotel against Simon & Schuster, but Woodward was not named. No retraction was obtained. A settlement was reached and the suit was dismissed with prejudice; no money was paid. In a joint press release, Woodward stated that “seedy hotel bungalow” referred to the mess Belushi made during his stay, rather than the quality of the Chateau. Hotel owner Raymond Sarlot stated that he admired the thoroughness and high standards of Woodward’s work, and that the lawsuit was only brought to protect the Chateau’s reputation.

Antonia Dick

Attorney for Bob Woodward

Los Angeles