AUSTINTOWN TWP., Ohio - Still battling a lingering legal issue, one of which concluded with a recent thirty day stay in jail, the owner of the former Hotel California in Austintown says that the recently renamed California Palms Hotel and Suites is enjoying what he says are busy times.

In response to an email from wfmj.com, Poland attorney Sebastian Rucci says that he renovated the former Economy Inn and Suites and turned it into the Hotel California with the intention of being rewarded with his vision of a hotel with countless amenities.

After three months in operation, Rucci says the California Palms is listed as “#1 in Austintown” on TripAdvisor, Expedia and Booking.  Rucci also cites what he calls “endless” five star reviews on TripAdvisor as evidence of success.

He says the hotel has been established with the weekend crowd as a place for a mini vacation, and is focusing marketing efforts on the business traveler with long term stays

Rucci was forced to change the Hotel California name after the owner of the Hotel California in Santa Monica filed a federal lawsuit alleging trademark infringement.

That civil suit hasn’t gone away even though Rucci dropped the “Hotel California” name.

A hearing is scheduled later this month to hear a complaint from the plaintiff who claims Rucci hasn’t fully lived up to his promise to stop using the name.

Rucci calls the complaint a non-issue. He says the other Hotel California owner wants him to change the corporate name as well.

He says although he can’t name the hotel after the well-known Eagles song, Rucci says is free use the name for the night club in the hotel, and he says he’s thinking of doing just that.

Rucci was released from the Mahoning County jail on Friday after serving thirty days for previous liquor violations that were filed in 2012 when he operated the Go Go Cabaret at the same location as his hotel.

Obtaining a liquor license for the new facility has been hurdle that Rucci has yet been unable to surmount.

In February the Ohio Liquor Control Commission issued a four page ruling denying Rucci a license saying that the hotel and bar at state Route 46 and Interstate 80 is at the same location as a business that demonstrated a disregard for the laws, regulations or local ordinances.

The hotel opened in April without a liquor license, but guests were invited to bring their own liquor.

In his email, Rucci says that he hopes the liquor application by Steve James, who operates The Fifth Season restaurant in the hotel, will be approved when it is processed.

Sounding notes of optimism, Rucci says they have thirty-three employees and he hopes to increase that number after a liquor license is granted.