Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
October 05, 2024
Landmark Decision: Aiken County Jury Awards $45 Million in Damages in Secret Recording Case
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- The jury awarded Heather and Gabriel Crespo $45 million in damages, holding landlord Rhett C. Riviere accountable for secretly recording them.
- Riviere covertly filmed the Crespos in their rental property using hidden cameras, leading to a civil and criminal investigation.
- The verdict ensures accountability for individuals like Riviere, safeguarding renters' privacy rights and sending a strong message about the consequences of violating privacy laws.
- Riviere's actions violated privacy laws and resulted in voyeurism charges, leading to a significant legal victory for the Crespos.
Impact - Why it Matters
This case highlights the importance of privacy laws and the consequences of violating them. It serves as a significant step toward safeguarding renters' privacy rights and ensuring accountability for individuals like Riviere. The jury's decision to award punitive damages further cemented the seriousness of the offense and sent a strong message about the consequences of violating privacy laws.
Summary
In a landmark decision, an Aiken County jury awarded Heather and Gabriel Crespo $45 million in damages after evidence revealed that landlord Rhett C. Riviere had secretly recorded them in a South Carolina vacation rental. Ryan Beasley, a prominent criminal defense and civil litigation attorney, along with co-counsel Wes Few and Debbie Barbier, worked tirelessly to ensure Riviere was held accountable for his actions. The jury awarded the couple $27 million in compensatory damages and an additional $18 million in punitive damages, underscoring the severity of Riviere's violations. Riviere covertly filmed the Crespos while they stayed at one of his rental properties, using hidden cameras in their bedroom and bathroom. The hidden recordings came to light in 2019 when Riviere's ex-fiancée discovered microSD cards containing videos of men, women, and allegedly minors filmed at multiple properties. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) seized 3.7 terabytes of data from Riviere's properties, leading to civil and criminal investigations.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on this press release disributed by 24-7 Press Release. Read the source press release here, Landmark Decision: Aiken County Jury Awards $45 Million in Damages in Secret Recording Case
