By Andrew M. Harris
BUSINESSWEEK

A lawsuit accusing Hilton Hotels Corp. and two executives of stealing trade secrets from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. should be halted while the U.S. probes for possible criminal wrongdoing, prosecutors said.

Starwood sued Hilton in April, alleging that the McLean, Virginia-based chain hired two former employees who took from it confidential information used in developing the luxury W and St. Regis Hotel brands.

The case is Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. v. Hilton Hotels Corp., 09-03862, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (White Plains).