Sanjai Syamaprasad, a 47-year-old technician at Northwell Health, was arrested in April on charges of secretly filming individuals using disguised cameras in restrooms. The cameras, disguised as smoke detectors, were found in 9 restrooms across two Northwell Health facilities on Long Island, New York.

According to prosecutors, Syamaprasad worked the night shift at Northwell Health's Sleep Disorders Center on Long Island from July 2023 to April 2024. During this time, he secretly recorded thousands of patients and colleagues, some multiple times. Authorities believe he may have first purchased the recording equipment in August 2022.

Syamaprasad's actions were discovered when a physician caught him watching a video of a man using the restroom. He then allegedly attempted to cover his tracks by discarding the memory card and recording device in a trash can near his Brooklyn residence.

Hidden camera disguised as a smoke detector in a restroom. Photo: NBC4

Hidden camera disguised as a smoke detector in a restroom. Photo: NBC4

While the criminal investigation is ongoing, Northwell Health is facing at least four lawsuits from victims, including a class-action lawsuit filed on 9/7.

Benjamin Dell and Christopher Dean, two of the attorneys who filed the most recent lawsuit, issued a statement saying, "It is completely unacceptable that such a violation of privacy occurred in a place meant for healing and trust." They are demanding accountability from the hospital and assurances that this will never happen again.

Northwell Health has sent 13,000 letters to potential victims. Attorneys estimate the actual number of victims could be even higher as police continue to review the extensive video footage.

The hospital maintains it has fully cooperated with law enforcement and followed the prosecutor's office's request to delay notifying victims until the criminal investigation progressed. However, victims' attorneys argue this silence only worsened the situation.

Joel Rubenstein, an attorney representing a group of victims in the class-action suit, stated, "Victims have expressed feelings of violated privacy and a newfound fear of public restrooms and changing rooms."

Syamaprasad is facing multiple charges, and the prosecutor's office indicated the possibility of additional charges upon completion of the investigation.

Tue Anh (adapted from Nypost)