Hamptons Landlord Accused of Spying on Family with Hidden Cameras - East Idaho News
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Hamptons Landlord Accused of Spying on Family with Hidden Cameras

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Getty 101712 PeepingTom?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1350520702134Bruce Bennett/Michael Reynolds/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — A New Jersey family who spent its summer vacation in New York’s East Hampton was shocked to find their luxury rental studded with hidden cameras, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court.

The family claimed in court documents that they noticed cameras pointing directly at the beds in multiple bedrooms in the house when they were four days into their weeklong rental.

They allege that all nine members of the family who stayed at the home, including three young children, were filmed in the nude, in addition to the “bedroom activities” of the adults.

The family members are referred to only by their initials in the court documents in order to protect the identities of three minors who were filmed, according to the suit. Judd Burstein, attorney for the plaintiffs, said they wished to remain anonymous.

East Hampton police would not confirm reports that they are investigating criminal charges against Donald Torr, the owner of the home. The lawsuit alleges that Torr broke federal laws by filming sexually explicit footage of the minors, in addition to privacy laws.

Torr, a resident of Celebration, Fla., declined to speak with ABC News when reached by phone Wednesday. He told the New York Post that the cameras were installed to prevent squatters and others who might break into the home, and did not know children had been filmed.

According to court documents, the vacationers called Suffolk County police, who searched the home the following day with a search warrant and found cameras hidden in walls, heating and air conditioning ducts, and electrical outlets and pointed directly at guests in the shower, hot tub area and multiple bedrooms, according to the lawsuit.

Torr allegedly admitted to viewing all of the cameras’ footage over an Internet connection when the family confronted him with a phone call.

“Defendant admitted that he was able to view any video that was recorded remotely through the Internet,” the document reads. “Defendant, however, falsely claimed that all of the cameras, including those pointed towards beds and the one in the shower, had been installed only for security purposes.”

The family packed up and left their rental three days early, and were refunded their money by Torr, according to documents. The rental cost $6,500 for the week, according to the rental website.

The family is now seeking more than $4 million in damages.

The Suffolk County district attorney did not return calls for comment.

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