I can almost hear the orders given to whoever did this:

"Don't mess around, just get it on the wall and working."

Sadly Paul, you're probably close to the truth. I worked in a motel in WI, and the new franchise company decided to require a 1600 watt hairdryer in each and every room. We got that one negotiated down though to just bringing the bathroom electrical up to code. This kind of thing is likely to happen when large franchise companies give unreasonable timescales for such work at a time when there is little money.

No excuse for this kind of thing, but I think you're right about "get it done". The guy was probably also told "or you're fired"

I think you guys are correct, a follow-up with my coworker in the room next door confirmed it was done the same way in his room too.

This was a very small town in Kern county so I'm sure that if they even have an AHJ he would not have been involved in any part of this.

Based on some of the other photos from hotel/motels that have been here I would say that this is sadly a common situation.