Overview
- Orange County prosecutors filed five felony eavesdropping counts and multiple misdemeanor counts on Thursday after investigators said hidden cameras recorded the Bolsa Chica lifeguard locker room for about 11 months beginning August 2024.
- Kevin Pearsall, the former Orange Coast District superintendent, turned himself in, was released on his own recognizance, and had an arraignment date set and then continued to September 21.
- Authorities say a USB device with a hidden camera was found in July 2025, state parks reviewed its contents, and the case was referred to the California Highway Patrol which led the criminal probe.
- Prosecutors allege Pearsall admitted to recording and shared images of at least three victims with two other men, and the charges include unlawful dissemination of private recordings under California surveillance laws.
- Victims’ attorneys and a civil suit led by Gloria Allred say the recordings caused severe emotional harm, that some filmed may have been underage, and investigators may widen the timeline if earlier misconduct is corroborated.