Discovery of hidden cameras continue to make the news. Here are a few of the latest. While the news media reports on the more sleazy discoveries, they are also popular devices for corporate spies. Most covert video cameras will also record audio making them even more dangerous as eavesdropping devices.  Corporate discoveries rarely make the news as they are often dealt with in-house to avoid bad public relations.

1. Police investigating hidden camera at Waukesha swim school

TMJ4 report by Michele Fiore Oct. 4, 2013 – UPDATED: Oct. 4, 2013

WAUKESHA – A part-time swim instructor is accused of setting up a hidden camera and capturing images of his teenage coworkers in a changing room.

34-year-old Michael Coyle appeared in Waukesha County Intake Court Friday in an orange jail jumpsuit. His mother looked on, taking notes, as the attorneys in the room spoke. Coyle did not speak, and his mother refused to comment afterward.
 
Waukesha police say they were notified by Coyle’s wife who told them she discovered videos when she was going through her husband’s belongings.
 …
Police say although the case is in the court system now, their investigation is continuing. They plan to look over all of his cell phones, computers and cameras.  At this point,  police say there is no indication that Coyle had any inappropriate contact with children, nor do they believe he captured any inappropriate videos of the children that he taught at Swimtastic. Parents of his students have been contacted and the owners of Swimtastic are fully cooperating with the investigation.  
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According to the criminal complaint, Coyle can be seen setting up the camera in a vent of an employees bathroom, then walking away and returning some time later.
 
[Read More]
 
Body worn video cameras

2. Man used hidden camera in bathroom to spy on co-workers

KOMO News By Kristen Drew Published: Sep 26, 2013 

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, Wash. — An employee at a popular Bainbridge Island restaurant is accused of spying on his own co-workers with a hidden camera, and it’s not the first time he’s been accused of this crime.   

Scott Fuchs was charged with voyeurism on Thursday after police said he used a cell phone camera to record video of his own co-workers in a unisex bathroom. According to the probable cause statement, Fuchs was an Assistant Manager/Bartender at Doc’s Marina Grill last month when he placed the camera in the employee bathroom.

“We have a great restaurant and a great family here,” said Doc’s Marina Grill owner Tom Aydelotte. “To have somebody within our mix do something that – something like (voyeurism) – that’s just disgusting.”

A male employee found the phone inside a black plastic bag between the toilet bowl and trash can. It was in video mode and recording video, according to court documents. The worker, who is no longer employed at Doc’s Marina Grill, then gave the phone to Bainbridge Island Police.  

A detective got a search warrant and reviewed the video on the phone. According to court documents, the video shows Fuchs concealing the phone in the employee bathroom then leaving.

“Scott’s a very likeable man. He’s very good with customers; very detail-oriented as a bartender. He did a great job for us. I couldn’t have forecasted this,” Aydelotte said.

In 2007, Bremerton Police arrested Fuchs for similar behavior. He was accused of videotaping people in restrooms at a Bremerton golf range, where he was a manager. A judge later dismissed the voyeurism charge after finding detectives exceeded the scope of a search warrant.

 Wireless video cameras

3. Ex-cop gets probation in tanning salon case

By SANFORD J. SCHMIDT The Telegraph, Monday, October 7, 2013 (Alton, IL)

EDWARDSVILLE — A former Edwardsville police D.A.R.E. officer pleaded guilty Monday to a count of unauthorized video recording for secretly photographing a woman in a Glen Carbon tanning salon.

Michael R. Collins, 47, pleaded guilty in Madison County Circuit Court to one count in exchange for a prosecution agreement to drop two other counts and a sentence of two years’ probation.

Authorities said the charge is a Class 4 felony, the least serious category of felony, but a felony conviction will prevent Collins from ever again holding a job as a police officer. He had no prior felony convictions, and he resigned from the Edwardsville Police Department shortly after he was charged in April 2012.

Collins was charged with three counts of unauthorized video recording for recording three different women in the Image Sun Tanning Center, 6654 Edwardsville Crossing Drive in Glen Carbon, on April 1, 3 and 4 in 2012.

[Read More]

 Wired covert video cameras