Request Legal Help Now - Free

Advertisement
LAWSUITS NEWS & LEGAL INFORMATION

Potentially Thousands of Sears Peeping Tom Victims

. By
North Hollywood, CAFor the women who were caught on tape by the so-called Sears Peeping Tom, the sense of the loss of privacy is immeasurable. Patrons of the clothing store expected to use the change rooms without falling victim to a Sears secret video tape made by the maintenance worker. Now, the retailer could face a Sears customer lawsuit or a Sears employee lawsuit, if it is proven the company knew about the workers' actions but did not alert authorities.

According to the Los Angeles Daily News (5/10/12), Alejandro Gamiz, who worked as a Sears maintenance worker, used a video camera to secretly tape women and girls for around three years. The cameras were used in changing rooms and bathrooms and were apparently triggered by motion sensors, turning on when the rooms were in use. Reuters, (5/2/12) reports that Gamiz could have used up to 60 cameras during his operation. A loss prevention employee noticed something suspicious during an inspection of the change rooms and police were called in. Gamiz has since been charged with 30 counts of peeping into a changing room and 30 counts of using a concealed video recording device.

Many women and girls have used the changing rooms in question over the past 30 years. Few know for sure if they were among the victims recorded on the cameras, but even without knowing for sure that they were recorded, some customers and employees are understandably concerned about the invasion of privacy. If underage girls used the change rooms and were recorded on camera, which is a strong possibility over the course of three years of recording, Gamiz could be guilty of creating and possessing child pornography.

Because more than 1,000 victims were reportedly recorded, police will likely never be able to name all the victims. However in such cases, there is still considerable emotional damage for people who believe they are victims. After all, the concern that one has been secretly recorded while using a changing room or bathroom is very real, as is the sense of invasion of privacy.

Some allegations have been made that Sears knew about Gamiz's activities three months before alerting the authorities. These allegations have not been proven. If, however, they were to be proven, Sears could be held liable for allowing the recordings to continue.

READ ABOUT SEARS PEEPING TOM LAWSUITS

Sears Peeping Tom Legal Help

If you or a loved one have suffered losses in this case, please click the link below and your complaint will be sent to a personal injury lawyer who may evaluate your Sears Peeping Tom claim at no cost or obligation.

READER COMMENTS

Posted by

on
I was a long time patronof Sears North Hollywood; I am sure Sears was aware for years of this because no one assisted patrons at the dressing rooms, no one counted clothing, no way of knowing what was freely going in and out of the rooms. True Sears has cameras outside, but how could that adequately keep track of who and what was going into the
rooms unless the cameras were going in action in the rooms themselves??

ADD YOUR COMMENT ON THIS STORY

Please read our comment guidelines before posting.


Note: Your name will be published with your comment.


Your email will only be used if a response is needed.

Are you the defendant or a subject matter expert on this topic with an opposing viewpoint? We'd love to hear your comments here as well, or if you'd like to contact us for an interview please submit your details here.


Click to learn more about LawyersandSettlements.com

Request Legal Help Now! - Free