Despite admitting to secretly filming potentially 13,000 patients and staff members in bathroom, a former New York sleep center worker is dodging jail time.
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On Tuesday (July 15), 48-year-old Sanjai Syamaprasad pleaded guilty and admitted that he secretly filmed as many as 13,000 patients and fellow staff members in the bathrooms at two Northwell Health Sleep Disorders Center in Manhasset, Long Island, New York. Despite his admission, the judge offered him probation with no jail time.
Prosecutors said Syamaprasad, a father from Brooklyn, installed Velcro dots in nine bathrooms at the Northwell Sleep Disorders Center and STARS Rehabilitation Center in Manhasset. He is accused of using the dots to place spy cameras disguised as smoke detectors in places where it could record the shower and toilet.
Prosecutors said he worked the overnight shift between July 2023 and April 2024. He is believed to have bought his first recording device as early as August 2022. After being caught watching the videos at work, Northwell fired Syamaprasad last year and reported him to the authorities.
Judge Gives Probation To Former New York Sleep Center Worker Who Admitted To Secretly Filming 13K Staff And Patients, Including Children
According to prosecutors, authorities seized over 300 videos showing body parts of hundreds of people. However, prosecutors could only bring charges involving five victims, including a child, based on who they could identify. In court, Syamaprasad pleaded guilty to unlawful surveillance and evidence tampering.
Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly recommended one to three years behind bars for each count. However, Judge Meryl Berkowitz ordered Syamaprasad to five years probation and to register on the sex offenders list. Berkowitz opted against any jail time, citing Syamaprasad’s remorse and completion of a program. Sentencing is scheduled for September 15.
Reacting to the verdict, DA Donnelly said, “This case deserved jail time. It’s not a one-off. It’s not one time, one night he did this. It was night after night after night, victim after victim after victim.” Donnelly continued to argue how the plea deal in this case sent the wrong message. She added, “This was a massive, massive violation of people’s privacy and rights.”
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Hundreds Of Victims Secretly Filmed By Former New York Sleep Center Worker Sue Employee And Hospital After He Avoids Jail Time
Following the hearing, Syamaprasad ran out of the courthouse, ducking press and refusing to answer questions. Reacting to the move, former sleep center employee, and potential victim, Brenda Pellettieri said:
“It’s just very ironic how he can film people sitting on the toilet and in the showers, and then he puts a mask and a hat on and runs out covering his face. It’s really destroyed my faith in humanity. You don’t trust people.”
Victims claiming to have been secretly recorded by the former New York sleep center employee are now taking legal action. They are now part of class action lawsuits against both Syamaprasad and Northwell Health. Attorney John Rubenstein said:
“My firm has spoken personally to hundreds and hundreds of victims, and I know they’re going to be extremely disappointed that he’s not going to be serving any jail time.”
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