A family of four accused a suburban chiropractor of violating their trust and causing emotional distress by secretly recording patients, including minors, in a civil lawsuit announced Tuesday.
Attorney Antonio Romanucci and his law firm are representing a family of four, including two minors, in a civil lawsuit filed against David Hanson and his suburban chiropractic clinic, Hanson Family Chiropractic in Batavia, alleging he invaded the privacy of his patients and caused emotional distress.
“These children trusted him. He exploited them,” Romanucci said at a press conference announcing the civil lawsuit Tuesday. “The conduct Hanson is accused of is vile and imported. We do not believe any of our clients were aware of the secret recording.”
Hanson has been accused of secretly recording more than 180 of his patients as they undressed, including several children, using hidden cameras “secretly placed throughout his chiropractic office,” according to the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office.
“Our family is in complete disbelief that someone we turn to for help and healing has violated us in this way,” an impacted family member said in a statement that was read by attorneys at the press conference Tuesday.
In addition to the new civil lawsuit, Hanson faces numerous counts of producing, disseminating and possessing child pornography and unauthorized video recording of a minor, the Kane County SAO announced in early November.
Many of the recordings appeared to be taken in a red light room, authorities said.
A phone line and email set up for potential victims of Hansen by the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office was contacted more than 1,200 times in the past month. Kane County State’s Attorney said they received a “high volume of calls and emails” after their news release announcing charges against Hansen.
“This is a violation of trust. It is disgusting and it’s damaging,” Romanucci said.
Romanucci is also working with Illinois State Representative Curtis Tarver to help introduce legislation that would create protections against the use of hidden cameras inside businesses across the state.
“It will help prohibit hidden cameras in bathrooms, locker rooms, medical treatment room and places generally where individuals would expect to have privacy,” Representative Tarver said.
Romanucci’s firm also represents several teenage girls who say they were secretly recorded in the bathroom of an Addison ice cream shop by the owner, who is also facing criminal charges.
Anyone who believes they or a minor in their care were victimized by David Hanson, or those who may have additional information on the case, are asked to call (630) 444-3322 or email SAOVictimHotline@KaneCountyIL.gov.
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