SC - Judy Johnson filed suit against Ambling Management Company, the company that oversees Pendleton Garden Apartments, for illegally recording private conversations on the apartment property.
The class action lawsuit challenges the legality of the installation of “listening, eavesdropping and/or bugging devises and/or video surveillance devices in and around the residential apartment complex” and benefits Ms. Johnson and anyone else “similarly situated, “ the lawsuit said.
Charles R. Griffin, attorney for Ms. Johnson, said the bugging was not only a violation of federal laws, but also a violation of Ms. Johnson’s right to privacy.
“She’s kind of upset about it. She contacted the housing authority about it and wasn’t able to get relief,” he said. “She is still living there. She’s very uncomfortable right now.”
According to the lawsuit, Ms. Johnson moved into an apartment at 210 Kirk Lane in Pendleton in March 2006. About a year later, she said she learned that “electronic, mechanical and/or other video and audio listening” equipment had been installed “in and around apartments” to “surreptitiously listen to tenants’, residents’ and guests’” conversations.”
Later, on March 31, 2007, the lawsuit said, an employee of Ambling admitted to the surveillance devices at a Crimestoppers meeting at the apartment complex. (more)
