Northwell Sleep Center Recording Victims: Were You Affected?

Last updated: October 2026

If you visited, worked at or brought a child to Northwell’s sleep disorders center on Long Island between 2022 and April 2024, you may have been recorded by a hidden camera. Prosecutors say a former sleep technician secretly filmed people in the building’s bathrooms. About 13,000 people were sent letters, and many are now asking what being a Northwell sleep center recording victim means for them. If you think you may be among the Northwell sleep center recording victims, the sections below also cover support services, privacy worries and the legal terms you may hear.

This guide walks through how to tell whether you may be affected and the gentle, practical steps you can take next.

How the recordings were discovered

In April 2024, a coworker reportedly caught the sleep technician watching recordings at work. Northwell says it removed him immediately and reported him to the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors said he used a camera disguised as a smoke detector and moved it among nine bathrooms in the building. That building houses Northwell’s Sleep Disorders Center and STARS Rehabilitation in the Great Neck/Manhasset area.

In July 2025, he pleaded guilty to unlawful surveillance and evidence tampering charges. He received probation and must register as a sex offender.

Were you in the building during the affected period?

CBS New York reported that recordings may have happened from about October 2022 to April 2024. A lawyer quoted in that report said anyone in the building during that window could be a potential victim.

You may be affected if you:

• Had an overnight sleep study or daytime appointment at the sleep center.
• Received physical therapy or rehab services in the same building.
• Worked there as an employee, contractor or student.
• Visited as a family member, or brought a child to an appointment.

Prosecutors said children were among the people recorded. If your child was a patient, you may be able to act on their behalf.

What the notification letter means

About 13,000 letters were mailed to people who may have been in the building, according to NBC New York. Many arrived in 2025, about a year after the discovery.

Getting a letter does not prove that you were recorded. It means your records show you may have been there during the time under investigation.

Not getting a letter does not rule you out, either. Addresses change, and visitors or family members may not be on any patient list.

If you received a letter, keep it in a safe place along with the envelope. It may help a law firm understand your timeline.

Steps you can take now

You do not need to do everything at once. Go at a pace that feels okay for you.

• **Write down your dates.** List when you had appointments or worked in the building, even if you only remember the month or season.
• **Gather records.** Appointment reminders, bills, insurance statements or work schedules can confirm when you were there.
• **Request your health records.** Under HIPAA, you have a right to get copies of your health information, usually within 30 days.
• **Save any letters or emails** from Northwell or the District Attorney’s Office.
• **Avoid posting details online.** Public posts can be used in a lawsuit and may affect your privacy.
• **Talk to someone you trust** about how you are feeling.
• **Keep a simple journal.** Notes about sleep, anxiety or changes in daily life can help you, and a law firm, understand the impact over time.

Caring for yourself after a privacy violation

Learning that you may have been secretly recorded can bring up shock, anger, shame or fear. These reactions are normal. What happened is not your fault.

Some people feel unsafe in bathrooms or medical settings afterward. Others worry about where recordings might have gone. If this sounds familiar, support can help.

• The RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline is free, confidential and open 24/7 at 800-656-4673 or through RAINN.org.
• A counselor who works with trauma survivors can help you process what happened.
• It is okay to take breaks from the news about this case.

If your child was a patient

Parents often feel guilt when they learn a child may have been recorded. Please remember that you trusted a medical provider, and that trust was broken by someone else.

You do not need to share every detail with your child. A pediatrician or child therapist can help you decide what to say, based on your child’s age and needs.

What to expect if you contact a law firm

Reaching out to a law firm can feel like a big step. It helps to know what usually happens.

• **A private conversation.** A firm may ask when you were at the center, how you learned about the case, and how it has affected you. You can share only what you are comfortable sharing.
• **A review of your dates.** The firm may compare your timeline with the period under investigation.
• **An explanation of options.** This may include joining an existing case, filing your own claim, or waiting for more information.
• **Questions about cost.** Many firms handle these cases on a contingency basis, meaning fees come from any recovery. Ask each firm to explain its fee terms in writing.
• **No obligation.** Speaking with a firm does not commit you to filing a lawsuit.

You can bring a trusted friend or family member to the conversation if that helps you feel supported.

What a lawsuit could involve

Hundreds of people have already filed civil claims against the former technician and Northwell. In July 2025, about 250 patients sued in Nassau County Supreme Court. They allege Northwell failed to protect them and waited too long to notify people. These are allegations, and Northwell has not admitted liability.

A participating law firm may review:

• Whether you were in the building during the affected period.
• How the experience has affected you.
• Whether you may join an existing case or file your own.
• Which deadlines apply. Deadlines vary by state and claim type.

Support Available to Northwell Sleep Center Recording Victims Beyond a Lawsuit

A civil case is only one path. Many Northwell sleep center recording victims first need practical and emotional help. Some of that help is free and does not depend on whether you ever file a claim.

New York’s Office of Victim Services

The New York State Office of Victim Services (OVS) helps innocent victims of crime with certain out-of-pocket costs. Its materials list medical and counseling expenses among the costs it may cover for people who qualify.

OVS has its own rules about reporting and filing, and it asks people to explain any delays. You can call OVS at 1-800-247-8035 to ask whether you may be eligible and how to apply. A victim advocate can also help you with the forms. OVS help is separate from any lawsuit, so Northwell sleep center recording victims can ask about it whether or not they plan to bring a claim.

Victim services through the prosecutor’s office

District attorney offices in New York often have victim advocates. Because the criminal case was handled in Nassau County, the district attorney’s office there may be able to answer general questions about the case and connect you with local support. You can ask them how they communicate with people who received letters.

Counseling and peer support

Many Northwell sleep center recording victims say the hardest part is the feeling of being watched in a place that should have been safe. A counselor who works with trauma or privacy violations can help you make sense of those feelings. If cost is a worry, ask about sliding-scale fees or whether OVS may help.

Some people also find comfort in talking with others who went through the same thing. If you join an online group, keep your own details private and avoid sharing documents.

If you worked in the building

Employees, contractors and students were also among the people who may have been recorded. Being recorded at your own workplace can bring extra stress, such as worry about seeing former coworkers or fear of speaking up.

If your employer offers an employee assistance program, it may provide short-term counseling at no cost. You can also ask a law firm whether workplace rules may affect your options. Northwell sleep center recording victims who were staff may face different rules than patients, so it helps to mention your role early.

Going Back to Medical Care After a Privacy Violation

It is common to avoid doctors, clinics or public bathrooms after learning you may have been recorded. But skipping care can affect your health, especially if you were being treated for a sleep disorder. Small steps can help you feel more in control.

Tips for your next appointment

• **Tell the office ahead of time.** You can say you had a bad experience at another facility and would like extra privacy. You do not have to give details.
• **Ask for a chaperone or support person.** Many offices allow a friend or family member to come with you.
• **Ask questions about the space.** It is okay to ask where the bathroom is and who has access to it.
• **Take breaks.** You can step out of a room if you feel anxious, and ask staff to wait.

If you still need a sleep study

Some patients need a follow-up sleep test. Ask your doctor what options exist for your condition, including whether a home sleep test may be appropriate for you. If an in-lab study is needed, you can ask the sleep center about its privacy policies and who monitors patients overnight.

Coping with anxiety at home

Some people find that the fear follows them home. They check bathrooms, cover vents or avoid hotels and gyms. These reactions make sense after a violation of trust. Over time, support can help them fade.

• Try simple grounding steps, like slow breathing or naming things you can see and hear.
• Keep a regular sleep routine, even if your sleep is not perfect yet.
• Limit how often you read news about the case.
• Tell a trusted person when you are having a hard day.

If anxiety, panic or trouble sleeping lasts for weeks, tell your doctor or a counselor. Many Northwell sleep center recording victims have found that naming the problem is the first step toward easing it.

Caring for children who were patients

Children may not understand what happened, and they do not need every detail. Watch for changes in sleep, toileting or anxiety about doctors. A pediatrician can help you plan the next visit so that it feels calm and safe.

Privacy Worries Northwell Sleep Center Recording Victims Often Raise

Fear about where recordings went is one of the most common concerns. Not knowing can be one of the hardest parts of being among the Northwell sleep center recording victims.

“Were the recordings shared?”

Only investigators and the courts know what the evidence shows. You can ask the district attorney’s office or a law firm whether any information about distribution has been made public. Try not to rely on rumors or social media posts, which can spread fear without facts.

“Will I have to see a recording to prove my claim?”

As the article notes, this is not usually required. Evidence is handled by prosecutors and attorneys. If anyone asks you to look at images, you can say no and ask to speak with a lawyer first.

Watching for scams

High-profile cases can attract scammers. Be careful with calls, texts or emails that:

• Ask you to pay a fee to “join” a lawsuit or receive a settlement.
• Claim they can remove recordings from the internet for money.
• Ask for your Social Security number, bank details or passwords.
• Pressure you to sign something right away.

Real court notices come through an approved process. Real law firms explain their fee terms in writing before you sign. If something feels wrong, hang up and call the organization back using a number you find yourself.

Protecting your own information

Keep your notification letter, your notes and any records in a safe place. Avoid posting about your experience in public online spaces. If you want to share with others, private conversations with people you trust are safer.

Talking with a partner or family

You may want to tell a spouse, partner or parent, or you may not. Both choices are okay. If you do share, you can decide how much to say. Some Northwell sleep center recording victims start with a simple sentence, such as “I got a letter about a privacy problem at a clinic I went to, and I am upset about it.”

Loved ones may feel angry on your behalf. It can help to tell them what you need, whether that is quiet support, help with paperwork or company at your next appointment.

A Glossary of Terms Northwell Sleep Center Recording Victims May Hear

News stories and court papers use words that can be confusing. Here are plain-language meanings for some terms Northwell sleep center recording victims may come across.

Unlawful surveillance

Under New York Penal Law section 250.45, unlawful surveillance in the second degree covers using a hidden imaging device to record people in places where they expect privacy, such as bathrooms. It is a class E felony.

Evidence tampering

A crime that involves hiding, changing or destroying evidence. The former technician also pleaded guilty to this charge.

Plea and sentence

A plea is when a defendant admits guilt in a criminal case. The sentence is the penalty the court gives, such as probation.

Civil claim

A civil claim is a lawsuit for money damages or other relief. It is separate from the criminal case. Northwell sleep center recording victims who bring civil claims may allege that an institution failed to protect them.

Negligence

Negligence means failing to use reasonable care. In these lawsuits, plaintiffs allege that Northwell did not do enough to prevent or catch the recordings. Northwell has not admitted liability.

Pseudonym

A made-up name, such as “Jane Doe,” that some courts allow plaintiffs to use to protect their privacy.

Statute of limitations

The deadline for filing a lawsuit. Deadlines vary by state and claim type, and special rules can apply to children. A participating law firm can review which deadlines apply to you.

Learning these terms will not change what happened. But it may help Northwell sleep center recording victims feel more prepared when they read the news or speak with a law firm.

Northwell sleep center recording victims: frequently asked questions

How Direct2Attorney can help

If you were at the Northwell sleep center building during the affected period, you do not have to sort this out alone. Direct2Attorney can connect you with a participating law firm that may review your situation in confidence and explain your options.

Learn more on our Northwell sleep disorders lawsuit page, or share your information when you feel ready. There is no pressure and no obligation.

Direct2Attorney is a legal marketing and referral service, not a law firm. This article is general information, not legal advice. Submitting information does not create an attorney-client relationship.