A Rogue Hotel Shower Turns Into a $100 Million Legal Storm
Picture this: a Chicago woman, fresh‑from‑law‑school and chasing her dream bar exam, checks into a Hampton Inn & Suites in Albany in July 2015. She never imagined that her shower session would become the next headline‑grabbing scandal.
What Really Happened
- Hidden camera hijack: The hotel turned into a secret filming set. She was recorded fully nude while taking a shower—no one knew the recording was happening.
- Three‑year delay: The footage didn’t surface until September 2018, when an email with a link popped up: “Is this you?”—and boom, her name and video surfaced on several porn sites.
- Threatening emails: The bully claimed “I’m a perv”, and sent threats that read like a bad stalker’s diary—highlighting her university, job, and demanding hush money.
- Hush payments demanded: $2,000 upfront, then $1,000 per month for a whole year. That’s a $14,000 one‑way trip down the fear lane.
- Multiple victims?: The lawsuit alleges other people were in the same camera tank at the same hotel. Imagine a group shower of shame!
Legal Fallout
She’s suing Hilton Worldwide for a whopping US$100 million (S$137 million) citing:
- Severe—and permanent—psychological damage
- Severe mental anguish and emotional distress
- Medical expenses — the tiny tragedies that break the bank
- Lost earnings because she had to step away from the bar exam grind
Hilton’s Take
Hilton’s spokesperson marched in with heartfelt apologies:
- “We take the safety and well-being of our guests incredibly seriously,” they said, adding it was a truly distressing situation.
- They promised to support the independent owners of the property to investigate and cooperate with law enforcement.
Hampton Inn’s Response
At the local level:
- The guests were shocked and stunned when they heard of the allegations.
- No recording devices were found during the recent complete renovation.
- They vowed to work hand‑in‑hand with authorities to pin down the culprit.
So what’s the takeaway? If you’re stepping into a hotel, keep that surveillance‑free shower in mind or at least be ready to fight back when your privacy gets invaded. And hey, lawyers – you better watch your own shower entrances!
