Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Beware of Roommates Installing "Air-Cleaners"
By
Dave Hogarty
Published Apr 21, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Dave Hogarty
Published Apr 21, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A Manhattan woman is suing her former roommate for $1 million after she discovered that he had been secretly taping her with a hidden camera while she was in her bedroom. After discovering a camera in what her roommate told her was an "air-cleaning unit", Claudia Pak found more than two dozen video files on his computer of herself "in various states of undress and engaged in activities of a highly personal nature".
The files also revealed that the scheming sicko had tested the equipment on himself, the suit says.
"One video filed consisted of footage of [Tom] in Ms. Pak's bedroom strategically adjusting the camera to capture all of [her] activities," and showed Tom "posing partially nude in what is believed to be his attempt to imitate a nude and unsuspecting Ms. Pak in her bedroom and making sure the camera captured clear footage," the suit says.
The roommate, 38-year-old John Tom, was arrested and charged with unlawful surveillance when Pak called the cops shortly after finding the hidden camera and computer files.
(Image from BEWARE, by edEx at flickr)
Tagged
A Manhattan
crime
manhattan
nude
photos
video
Dave Hogarty
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Man shot and killed on Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police said they're searching for a person of interest.
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Published Oct 17, 2026
Modified Oct 17, 2026
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
News
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
By
Willow Higgins
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
By
Rosemary Misdary
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .