Four Music Row hotel employees claim they were underpaid and worse, even beaten on the job and name an MTSU professor as a defendant in a federal lawsuit.

The suit, filed Friday claims Dr. Rajesh Aggarwal, associate professor of computer information systems violated the Fair Labor Standards Act, through two music row hotels he owns.

Henry Hernandez left his native Guatemala in 2005.

"I wanted to better myself," Hernandez said through an interpreter.  "I knew that there were things in my own country that I wouldn't be able to succeed in unless I came to the United States.  I was looking for more opportunity."

Last fall, he was hired to work maintenance at both the Best Western Music Row and the Comfort Inn Downtown hotels. 

It was supposed to be a 40-hour-a-week job, but the federal lawsuit claims the hotel management demanded Hernandez work 60 hours a week. 

Hernandez says, no matter how many hours he worked, he was only paid $50, with no overtime, no lunch break, and to make matters worse, he claims he was yelled at, and even punched in the face by a supervisor.

"This was very humiliating," Hernandez said.  "No one should have to suffer like this."

Hotel management referred all questions to the Dr. Aggarwal.  Over the phone, he confirmed he owns both hotels but said, I do not operate the hotels myself and am discussing the matter with the management team.

That hasn't stopped Hernandez or south Nashville non-profit The Worker's Dignity Project from naming Aggarwal in the suit

"I'm happy that Henry came and that we're here with him and he exposed this," said Brenda Perez, the co-chair of the steering committee at organization.

Perez said three other hotel employees came forward with similar complaints against the hotel. Four employees are named as plaintiffs in the suit.

"It does make me sad," Perez said.  "I think it makes everybody sad that this would happen in Nashville, the southern city that it is known for its southern hospitality."

Dr. Aggarwal did not comment on any specific questions pertaining to the lawsuit.

The Worker's Dignity Project planned a rally outside the hotels Sunday afternoon.MTSU Professor Named in Federal Labor Suit - Eric Alvarez