In a groundbreaking verdict that could have far-reaching implications for the vacation rental industry, an Aiken County jury has awarded Heather and Gabriel Crespo $45 million in damages against landlord Rhett C. Riviere for secretly recording them in a South Carolina vacation property. The decision, which includes $27 million in compensatory damages and $18 million in punitive damages, underscores the gravity of privacy violations in rental accommodations.
The case, which came to light in 2019, revealed that Riviere had covertly filmed over 20,000 unsuspecting renters over two decades using hidden cameras in bedrooms and bathrooms. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division's seizure of 3.7 terabytes of data from Riviere's properties led to both civil and criminal investigations, highlighting the potential scale of such privacy breaches in the vacation rental market.
This verdict serves as a wake-up call for the hospitality industry, particularly the growing vacation rental sector. It emphasizes the critical importance of guest privacy and the severe legal and financial consequences property owners may face for violations. The case may prompt stricter regulations and oversight in the vacation rental industry, potentially leading to enhanced security measures and privacy checks in rental properties.
For consumers, this landmark decision reinforces their right to privacy in rented accommodations and may encourage greater vigilance when choosing vacation rentals. The substantial damages awarded could deter similar misconduct by other property owners and managers, potentially improving overall safety and trust in the vacation rental market.
The legal team representing the Crespos, including attorneys Ryan Beasley, Wes Few, and Debbie Barbier, emphasized the long-lasting emotional distress caused by such privacy violations. This aspect of the case highlights the need for the hospitality industry to consider not just the physical but also the psychological well-being of their guests.
As one of several lawsuits filed against Riviere, this case may set a precedent for how similar privacy violation cases are handled in the future. It demonstrates the judiciary's willingness to impose significant penalties for such breaches, which could have broader implications for privacy law and its application in the digital age.
