CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A hidden camera was discovered recently in a bathroom at Cleveland TV station WEWS, according to a memo sent to station employees.
The video camera was discovered in a first floor men's bathroom used by station guests at the ABC affiliate on Euclid Avenue. The camera has been removed, said General Manager Sam Rosenwasser.
A July 14 email written by Rosenwasser and obtained by the Northeast Ohio Media Group said he took disciplinary action against an employee. Multiple sources said management fired a station engineer.
"It has come to my attention an unauthorized camera was placed in the first floor men's bathroom in response to complaints the bathroom was repeatedly being defaced," Rosenwasser said in the memo. "First, let me assure you as soon as I found out about this, the camera was removed. Second, I want to let you know any recording made through the camera has been destroyed. Third, we are taking appropriate disciplinary action against those involved.
"Finally and most importantly, I want to apologize."
Rosenwasser could not be reached for comment Thursday morning.
WEWS later released a statement that mirrored the content of Rosenwasser's memo. The statement called the hidden camera an "ill-conceived and inappropriate response to catching a vandal."
Lana Durban, who is acting station manager while Rosenwasser is on previously scheduled leave, would not provide details about what was captured by the camera.
It is unclear when the camera was installed and when it was removed.
The memo and the statement did not identify who put the camera in the bathroom.
Cleveland police said Thursday afternoon that no reports were made to law enforcement in connection with the incident.
Durban said the bathroom vandal has not been caught.