#Seattle #Expedia #Securitas #Voyeurism

Class Action Lawsuit Against Expedia and Securitas

In a shocking legal development, a class action lawsuit has been filed against Expedia Group Inc. and Securitas Security Services USA Inc., following serious allegations regarding privacy violations at the company's headquarters in Seattle. The firm representing the plaintiffs, Milberg Coleman Bryson Phillips Grossman, is seeking accountability for this disturbing incident involving a former employee.

Background of the Case

The lawsuit revolves around the actions of Marcelo F. Vargas-Fernandez, a former employee of Expedia, who has been arrested and charged with first-degree voyeurism. It is alleged that Vargas-Fernandez set up numerous spy cameras in sensitive locations such as restrooms, documenting the private moments of unwitting employees including Jane Doe, a Washington resident and current plaintiff.

According to the claims made by Doe and supported by other employees, Vargas-Fernandez's actions inflicted significant emotional and psychological distress on the victims. Reports indicate that the cameras were specifically placed to capture footage of individuals using the facilities, presenting a considerable breach of privacy and decency.

Details of the Allegations

The class action, filed in King County Superior Court, accuses Expedia and Securitas of neglecting their duty to provide a safe working environment. Allegations persist that several employees raised concerns about suspicious devices over several weeks, mainly starting from December 2023. Unfortunately, the security teams at Securitas allegedly dismissed these reports, misidentifying the cameras as harmless equipment intended for other purposes.

In a particularly alarming revelation, an Expedia employee noticed a camera during a bathroom break. His discovery led him to find another camera nearby. Despite alerting Securitas personnel, the situation was not appropriately addressed, allowing for a prolonged period during which many employees remained unaware of the invasive surveillance.

The lawsuit points out that from early December 2023 to mid-January 2024, over 60 individuals potentially fell victim to Vargas-Fernandez's invasions. Specifically, the cameras reportedly targeted all-gender single occupancy restrooms, directly violating personal privacy.

After Vargas-Fernandez's arrest on February 1, 2024, further investigations by the Seattle Police Department unearthed troubling evidence; a folder with video recordings of victims, including Jane Doe's, reportedly labeled with her name was found on his computer.

Legal Action and Implications

The impact of these violations extends beyond individual distress; it has cast a harmful shadow over Expedia's reputation and raised pertinent questions about the responsibilities of corporations in providing a secure workplace. According to Gary Klinger, a senior partner at Milberg,