A lawsuit has been filed against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S. Inc. after a former employee, identified as Jorge Diaz Vega, was caught filming upskirt videos of female guests at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios. The disturbing actions of Diaz Vega, who was employed at the park’s Star Wars retail store, were uncovered after two separate incidents were reported in March 2023, sparking both legal action and public outcry.
Shocking Discovery at Hollywood Studios
The issue first came to light when a grandmother reported that a man dressed in a Star Wars costume had used his cellphone to take an inappropriate photo of her 14-year-old granddaughter while they were shopping in the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge store. Security was immediately alerted, and an investigation was launched by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. The following day, another guest reported seeing the same man, later identified as Diaz Vega, recording an upskirt video of a 19-year-old female guest.
Diaz Vega, who was employed at the time, admitted to authorities that he had engaged in this behavior for approximately six years, claiming that recording such videos had become a “guilty pleasure” for him. Investigators found over 600 videos saved on his phone, which were presented as evidence during his arrest.
The Lawsuit: Allegations of Negligence
In the aftermath of the arrests, an 18-page lawsuit was filed against Disney by a grandparent of the 14-year-old girl who had been filmed. The suit alleges that Disney was negligent in its oversight of Diaz Vega and failed to take appropriate action despite knowing about prior incidents of inappropriate behavior by him.
The lawsuit claims that before the March 2023 incident, Diaz Vega had been reported for recording a female coworker without her consent. According to the complaint, Disney failed to investigate the matter properly and allowed him to continue working at the park, thus permitting the harmful behavior to persist. The lawsuit specifically asserts that Disney “knew or should have known” about Diaz Vega’s propensity for voyeurism and that Disney ratified his behavior by neglecting to take action to prevent further incidents.
The plaintiff, who is seeking over $50,000 in damages, also contends that Disney failed to properly vet or supervise its employees, allowing Diaz Vega to carry out his illegal activities unchecked. The lawsuit further emphasizes the danger posed to guests, especially minors when such behavior is allowed to continue.
Disney’s Response and the Larger Debate
In response to the arrest, Disney confirmed that Diaz Vega is no longer employed at the company but did not comment further on the specific allegations made in the lawsuit. The case has drawn significant attention, particularly regarding Disney’s responsibility to ensure the safety of its guests and its employees’ conduct.
The incident has raised concerns about Disney’s internal processes for monitoring employees and their potential misconduct, especially when it comes to maintaining a safe environment for families and minors. Critics argue that Disney’s failure to address Diaz Vega’s previously reported misconduct suggests a breakdown in employee oversight and a potential failure to protect guests from harm. An excerpt from the lawsuit says:
DISNEY, through its employees, agents, servants, and/or apparent agents knew or should have known of JORGE DIAZVEGA’s propensity to commit acts of video voyeurism and to otherwise film other employees and guests without their consent and DISNEY ratified the prior misconduct of its employee when it failed to take appropriate action to prevent the incident from occurring.
What’s Next for the Case?
The lawsuit has sparked widespread public interest and debate about the adequacy of Disney’s safety protocols at its theme parks. As the legal process unfolds, many are waiting to see how Disney will respond and whether it will take steps to address the concerns raised by this incident. With the plaintiff demanding a jury trial, the case is expected to be closely watched as it may set a precedent for how theme parks and entertainment companies address allegations of employee misconduct.
For now, the ongoing investigation into Diaz Vega’s actions and the lawsuit’s progress will determine if Disney faces further legal action or if it will adjust its practices moving forward. Regardless of the outcome, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of proper employee oversight and the responsibility theme parks have to safeguard the well-being of their visitors.
