Plastic surgeon ordered to pay $22.5M for filming patients with cameras inside Toronto clinic | CBC News

A judge ordered a plastic surgeon to pay $22.5 million to former patients after finding he installed surveillance cameras at his Toronto clinic without patients’ consent. More than two dozen cameras were placed inside the Toronto Cosmetic Surgery Institute, including cameras in very private places. The judge found the surgeon knew he was invading privacy and that his conduct as a physician was reprehensible. The judge said he abused his position of trust and betrayed vulnerable patients while profiting from them. A class-action lawsuit followed a CBC Marketplace investigation that found cameras in examination rooms where patients undress and in waiting areas, with some cameras recording audio. Representative plaintiffs described being asked to remove clothing for medical photos while cameras were present.

"Justice Paul Schabas wrote in his decision this week. "As I have found, Dr. Jugenburg knew exactly what he was doing invading patients' privacy. His conduct as a physician was reprehensible," Justice Paul Schabas wrote in his decision this week. "He abused his position of trust and betrayed his vulnerable patients from whom he was profiting.""

"The judge found Dr. Martin Jugenburg known online as Dr. 6ix invaded his patients' privacy by installing more than two dozen cameras at the Toronto Cosmetic Surgery Institute inside the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, including some in "very private places.""

"During their visit, Marketplace producers spotted security cameras in a closed-door examination room where patients are asked to undress, as well as in the waiting area. The small black-and-white devices were attached to the ceiling in the corners of the rooms. At least some of the cameras in those rooms were also recording audio."

"J.C., one of two representative plaintiffs on the statement of claim, visited Jugenburg's clinic for a breast lift consultation in the summer of 2018. She said a nurse asked her to remove her top and bra so that photos of her breasts could be taken for her medical record with a hand-held camera, which is common practice. A security camera, located in the upper left corner of this photo, is seen in the waiting room of the Toronto Cosmetic Surgery Institute."

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