Facts

The Ontario Police Department set up hidden cameras inside the men's locker room in 1996. A class of 125 Ontario police officers sued the police department for violation of their privacy rights pursuant to the Fourth Amendment, the California Constitution and common law.

PLAINTIFFS' CONTENTIONS:
Plaintiffs contended that former chief Lloyd Scharf, along with Lieutenant Tony Del Rio, gave permission to install the cameras and tape the men in violation of their state and federal constitutional rights. Plaintiffs further alleged that detective Brad Schneider contacted his friend, Michael Thompson, to install the camera.

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS:
Defendants claimed no constitutional violation and that they were protected by qualified immunity.

Damages

Plaintiffs sought an unspecified amount.

Injuries

Plaintiffs claimed emotional distress and punitive damages.

Result

Parties settled for $2.75 million following a grant of summary judgment against Schneider regarding the Fourth Amendment cause of action and against Thompson regarding the state law cause of action, and affirmance by the Ninth Circuit of the trial court's denial of qualified immunity. The case settled on the first day of trial.