ALFRED – The former manager of a York Beach amusement park who was convicted of videotaping employees using the bathroom now faces a civil lawsuit.
Five of the women who were videotaped sued Francis “Doug” DuGrenier and his former employer in York County Superior Court, seeking unspecified damages for mental and emotional distress.
“They have been injured. They feel their rights have been violated,” said Stephen C. Whiting, lawyer for the victims. “A large component will be punitive, to say you just can’t do this to people.”
DuGrenier, 48, of West Townshend, Vt., pleaded guilty in October to 11 counts of violation of privacy after placing video cameras in the employee bathroom of Fun-O-Rama during the summer of 2000.
DuGrenier was manager of the video arcade, which was owned by his family. He was caught after an employee discovered the tapes in DuGrenier’s apartment.
Fun-O-Rama, which was sold after the summer of 2000, is also named in the lawsuit because DuGrenier was working for them “so they are potentially liable,” Whiting said.
DuGrenier was sentenced last week to 21 days in jail and four years of probation for the violation of privacy counts. He could not be reached Thursday for comment.
During the sentencing, DuGrenier’s family said he was suffering from depression and anxiety, which resulted in his behavior.
In the civil complaint, the victims said DuGrenier’s actions were outrageous and caused them to suffer “severe emotional distress” and “damage to reputation.”
“After this was found out, that he had been videotaping, many of the names got out,” Whiting said. “It’s become very uncomfortable for them in town.”
Elizabeth Germani, DuGrenier’s lawyer, said Thursday she could not comment on the complaint because she had only just received it.
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