Johns Hopkins Hospital agreed on Monday to settle a lawsuit filed by patients who were secretly videotaped by their gynecologist for $190 million.
More than 7,000 patients joined up to sue the hospital after it was discovered Nikita Levy was taking explicit photographs and videos of those who came in for exams, The Wall Street Journal reports. Days after being fired in February 2013, Levy was found dead by suicide.
A search of his home uncovered what police said was an "extraordinary amount of" videos and photos Levy took using a pen-like camera. An investigation came to the conclusion that it was unlikely the ob/gyn ever shared the stash.
Levy was discovered after a co-worker grew suspicious of the pen-like object that he wore around his neck and reported it. The Baltimore-based health system said he was still wearing it when questioned by hospital security officials.
"It is our hope that this settlement---and findings by law enforcement that images were not shared--will help those affected achieve a measure of closure," the hospital said in a statement.
One victim, Jyllene Edwards Wilson, said she has been unable to go to the doctor since discovering the gross betrayal by her gynecologist, according to The Washington Post.
"I trusted this man with my inner-most parts and my inner-most secrets," Wilson said. "Now, I'm not trusting anyone. Not at all."
In addition to taking photos and video, the class-action lawsuit accuses Levy of inappropriate examinations, including touching them improperly. He would also go against standard practice and sometimes conduct pelvic exams without any other medical personnel in attendance.