Disney Sued After Cast Member Is Caught Filming up Skirts of Hundred of Guests

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The sun sets over the Millennium Falcon at Disney's Hollywood Studios' Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge

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A lawsuit has been filed against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts following an alarming incident at Walt Disney World where a former employee was caught filming up the skirts of female guests at the Hollywood Studios theme park. The suit, filed on March 30, 2023, comes after an investigation revealed a disturbing pattern of voyeuristic behavior by former employee Jorge Diaz Vega, who worked in the park’s Star Wars retail store.

Four teenagers laughing and talking in front of the Tower of Terror
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The Alarming Incident

The incident that led to the lawsuit began when a woman at Hollywood Studios noticed a man dressed in a Star Wars costume using his phone to take an inappropriate photo under her 14-year-old granddaughter’s dress. The woman immediately notified Disney security, which led to the investigation by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

A day after the first incident, another report came in this time from a Disney employee, who witnessed Diaz Vega recording an upskirt video of a 19-year-old guest at the same park. Upon further investigation, Diaz Vega, aged 26, admitted to secretly filming guests for the past six years, stating that it had become a “guilty pleasure.” He also confessed to having over 600 such videos saved on his phone, which were shown to investigators as evidence.

Three adults walking down Sunset Blvd during Disney After Hours at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
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Revelation of Past Misconduct

What makes this case even more concerning is the claim made in the lawsuit that Disney was aware of Diaz Vega’s prior inappropriate behavior. The suit alleges that he had previously been caught filming a female coworker without her consent, but Disney allegedly failed to take proper action following that report. This oversight is a central point of the lawsuit, which accuses Disney of neglecting to properly investigate Diaz Vega’s behavior or take appropriate disciplinary measures to protect guests and employees.

The lawsuit claims that Disney “knew or should have known” about the former employee’s history of inappropriate actions, including previous incidents involving the unauthorized filming of other Disney staff and guests. The suit further asserts that Disney, by not acting on the earlier misconduct, “ratified” his continued presence at the park and allowed him to continue putting guests at risk.

Boy raises Lightsaber in front of the Millennium Falcon
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The Lawsuit and Allegations of Negligence

The grandparent of the 14-year-old victim, who was filmed in March 2023, is now seeking over $50,000 in damages, citing negligence on Disney’s part. The plaintiff is also calling for a jury trial in the case, as they feel that Disney has not done enough to ensure the safety of its guests, especially minors, from incidents like these.

Disney has yet to comment publicly on the specific allegations made in the lawsuit, but they have confirmed that Diaz Vega is no longer an employee of the company. This case raises serious questions about Disney’s employee oversight policies and the safety of visitors to its theme parks, especially when it comes to safeguarding minors from potential harm.

A wide street lined with tall palm trees and vintage buildings evokes a classic Hollywood setting, much like the magic felt during the best time to arrive and leave Disneyland. The sky is partly cloudy with a soft, warm light illuminating the scene.
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Ongoing Concerns About Employee Conduct

This incident highlights broader concerns over employee conduct at theme parks, particularly in relation to security and guest safety. The lawsuit has sparked debates about the responsibility of companies like Disney to ensure their employees are thoroughly vetted and properly monitored to prevent such misconduct.

As investigations continue, many are watching closely to see how Disney responds to these serious allegations and whether it will take steps to improve its internal protocols for handling such situations in the future. The outcome of this case could have major implications for Disney’s reputation and its ability to address complaints about employee behavior in the future.

The case is ongoing, and more details will likely emerge as the legal proceedings move forward. For now, Disney finds itself at the center of a legal battle over its failure to address inappropriate behavior by one of its employees, a situation that has shaken trust in the company’s ability to protect its visitors.

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