August 20 - hidden camera in doctor's bathroom, workers sue

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The air purifier in a Manhasset cardiologist's office bathroom did nothing to improve the air. Instead, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday in Brooklyn, a hidden video camera in it allowed the doctor to see female employees in various states of undress.

Three Nassau County women are among five former employees of Dr. Vincent Pacienza who charge in the suit that he sexually harassed them and secretly took pictures of them with the video camera.

Pacienza, of North Hills, made sexually explicit comments, encouraged some male patients to do likewise and commented about employees' breasts, the suit says. The suit accuses Pacienza of sexual harassment and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

"I deny the charges," Pacienza said when contacted by phone.


See what's going on in and around your area >> Dennis Lemke, of Mineola, an attorney for Pacienza, said: "As far as we're concerned, these are false allegations and they'll be tried at some point in court. He'll be completely exonerated."

One of the women suing Pacienza, medical biller Deborah Schubert, of Garden City, said in an interview she found a receipt for the camera while opening the office mail.

"I was horrified, devastated, shocked, sick to my stomach about it, confused, betrayed, violated," Schubert said.

The other plaintiffs are Dr. Vanessa Pero, cardiologist, of Mineola; Irina Khaimova, cardiovascular sonographer, of Manhasset; Ellen Moreno, nuclear medicine technologist, of Queens; and Karina Khaimova, medical assistant, of Brooklyn.

Pero said, "At a Christmas party he said he only hired women with big ... . I felt very awkward but ... what are you going to say about that?"

She said Pacienza shared sexual jokes with a patient who was a former NFL player.

Moreno, of Bayside, said she felt "complete and utter disgust" and that Pacienza "commonly made lewd comments about his dating."

None of the women returned to work after one discovered the actual camera in June. The suit seeks back pay and damages for all employment benefits they would have received.

Nassau police arrested Pacienza after Schubert and Moreno notified them. He pleaded not guilty June 14 to a felony charge of unlawful surveillance and posted $2,500 bail.

Anthony Mango, the women's attorney, said he filed suit in Brooklyn because "we believe that juries in Brooklyn tend to be more sympathetic to plaintiffs in these kinds of situations

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/ny...,3461718.story

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