Creepy Medical Crimes: Nurse Technician Films Female Patients at Dermatology Clinic

Making it as a creep in the medical field is no easy feat. Nurse technician James Close was charged with filming naked women receiving skin procedures with his cell phone at Penn Medicine Dermatology.

On February 13, a 17-year-old female patient was undergoing radiation treatment when noticed she was being recorded by Close’s cell phone, which lay on the floor. After filing a criminal complaint, police investigators discovered Close’s phone contained 18 recordings of seven women who were wearing eye protectors, and were unable to see that they were being filmed.

According to the investigation, Close slipped his iPhone underneath the curtain to access the women. On Monday, February 27, the 45-year-old nurse was charged with more than 43 counts of filming nude patients. Close’s bail was set at 10 percent of $150,000, but he was unable to post. He remains in jail and has requested a public defender.

So far, investigators have identified all of the victims, but are encouraging patients of Penn Medicine Dermatology to come forward if they uncomfortable during their appointment. “We’re appalled by the actions of the former employee and are cooperating with the investigation,” said Susan Phillips, a spokesperson for Penn Medicine.