FRANKLIN (AP) — A Las Vegas hotel has sued the founder of Tea Party Nation, saying the Tennessee attorney owes a half-million dollars for a canceled convention.

The Venetian Casino Resort filed a claim for $554,000 this week in Clark County District Court in Nevada against Judson Phillips of Franklin, according to The Tennessean. The hotel also seeks nearly $88,000 in interest.

The resort claims Phillips reserved 1,637 room nights in anticipation of a convention scheduled for July 14-18, 2010, but canceled the event in late June of last year.

Phillips said he could not comment, not having seen the lawsuit.

Tea Party Nation is a for-profit group Phillips created in 2009.

Phillips was instrumental in bringing Sarah Palin to Nashville last year to headline the National Tea Party Convention.