Caesars Atlantic City Settles over Accusations of Cameras Ogling Women

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- Caesars Atlantic City Hotel Casino has agreed to pay a $185,000 fine to settle charges that four of its workers ogled women using eye-in-the-sky surveillance cameras that watch over the gaming floor.

It is the second case of its kind at Caesars. In December, the casino was fined $80,000 for similar incidents involving two other camera operators who trained their cameras on low-cut blouses and revealing clothing in 2000 and 2001.

The hidden cameras, required by law in New Jersey casinos, keep tabs on casino floor operations as a way to deter and prosecute theft, cheating and other crimes. Typically, they're tucked into ceilings and camouflaged by dark glass, allowing camera operators to surreptitiously zoom in on activities below.

In the latest case, the state Division of Gaming Enforcement alleges that four Caesars workers aimed their cameras on "selected parts of the anatomy" of female gamblers and employees while working graveyard shifts over a three-day period in October 2004.

Surveillance supervisors James Doherty and Robert Swan and camera operators Donald Smith and John Paul Arambulo were fired by Caesars.

Swan and Doherty disputed the charges at a Casino Control Commission hearing that started Tuesday and is expected to resume next week.

Arambulo settled the charges by agreeing to a five-day suspension of his gaming license. Smith never responded to the charges and did not participate in the proceedings.

"Harrah's Entertainment has absolutely zero tolerance for the type of behavior that occurred in October 2004," Caesars parent company said Tuesday in a written statement. The statement said Caesars took "prompt appropriate remedial action."