Ex-Northwell employee pleads guilty in Manhasset sleep center hidden camera case

A former Northwell Health employee has pleaded guilty in connection with a hidden camera scandal at the Northwell Health Sleep Disorders Center and STARS Rehabilitation Center in Manhasset. Sanjay Syamaprasad, 48, admitted on Tuesday to hiding cameras disguised as smoke detectors in multiple bathrooms at the facilities between July 2023 and April 2024.

The hidden cameras captured recordings of hundreds of individuals, including children, in various bathrooms at both the sleep center and the rehabilitation center, according to prosecutors. After being discovered by a coworker in April 2024, Syamaprasad was terminated by Northwell and subsequently arrested. He initially pleaded not guilty to charges including unlawful surveillance and tampering with evidence, according to Newsday. However, he changed his plea to guilty in July 2025 before Judge Meryl Berkowitz.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly highlighted the egregious nature of Syamaprasad's actions, stating that he violated the trust patients place in medical institutions. Northwell Health has sent notification letters to approximately 13,000 individuals who may have been impacted by the recordings. Several lawsuits, including class-action cases, have been filed against Northwell Health and Syamaprasad, alleging negligence and seeking accountability for the breach of privacy. Syamaprasad is scheduled to return to court for sentencing in September 2025, during which the judge will hold a hearing to determine his sex offender registration level. He faces between 18 months and 4 years in prison.

For updates, subscribe to our free newsletter!

Support your local news!

More News from Nassau

• Suffolk PD: Knife-wielding man fatally shot while approaching victim to stab him again Police fatally shoot knife-wielding man attempting to stab victim again in Centereach
• Tick-Borne Illnesses Spike Across Long Island Uptick in Tick born illnesses this summer