MORGANTOWN – In the wake of the discovery of cameras in staff restrooms at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, and the subsequent arrest of former WVU Medicine physician Lance Parks, multiple law firms have publicly announced interest in the case.
On Monday, Angotti & Straface announced via social media that the firm has been retained by an undisclosed number of employees of WVU Medicine who may have been video recorded while using restroom facilities at the hospital or other West Virginia University Hospital facilities.
In a joint release Tuesday, Desai Law and Rosnick Law said they have also been retained to investigate potential civil claims arising from the recently reported allegations involving Parks.
“Our firms are actively investigating the matter on behalf of individuals who may have been affected,” the statement from the Desai and Rosnick firms read. “Our investigation is ongoing, and we will allow the facts to guide any future action.”
Each of the firms is encouraging anyone who feels they may have been affected by the alleged conduct to contact them for a consultation.
The issue began on June 26, when hospital employees discovered a digital recording device concealed beneath a sink inside a staff restroom. Hospital personnel immediately notified law enforcement, and the device was turned over to investigators.
Following an examination of the recording device and additional investigative efforts, law enforcement identified Parks as the individual who placed the device. Investigators also determined that the device contained video footage depicting eight hospital employees who had been unknowingly recorded while partially nude.
On June 30, a WVU Hospitals spokesperson announced that a clogged toilet led to the discovery of a second camera in a non-public, staff restroom.
That camera was turned over to law enforcement and found to contain no images or other media.
That same day, investigators executed a search warrant at Parks’ residence. During the search, law enforcement seized multiple computers and digital storage devices for forensic examination.
The investigation revealed additional evidence, including files containing images of juvenile females that appear to have been downloaded from publicly available social media and photo-sharing websites. The investigation turned up numerous images in which artificial intelligence was used to manipulate photographs so that the depicted juveniles appeared to be fully nude.
A warrant for Parks’ arrest was issued July 2. He was arrested in Wood County on July 10.
Parks is charged with eight misdemeanor counts of Criminal Invasion of Privacy and one felony count of Distribution and Exhibiting Computer Generated Pornography.
According to Monongalia County Magistrate Court records, a plea of not guilty was entered on July 10 and a total bond of $100,000 – $50,000 for each charge – was set and posted.
A preliminary hearing has been set for July 20.
