Houston Podiatrist Arrested After Hidden Camera Found in Clinic Restroom

An employee at Dr. Douglas Hansen's podiatry clinic inside Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Plaza made a chilling discovery on February 20: a hidden camera concealed under the sink in the employee bathroom, positioned to face the toilet.

"I pulled up my pants and went to look at it, and that's when I realized it was a camera," the employee, who asked to remain anonymous, said of the moment she found the device. She recorded cellphone video of the hidden camera, alerted Memorial Hermann security, and called 911.

Harris County Precinct 5 deputies responded that same day, reviewed the video recorded on the device, and contacted the Harris County District Attorney's Office. The DA accepted charges, and deputies arrested Hansen before the day was out. He is charged with attempted invasive visual recording.

The speed of the arrest did little to settle the employee's nerves. "I was honestly still shaking because he was arrested the same night as everything happened," she said. "I was still processing everything." She described feeling "surprised, definitely very, very betrayed" by a physician she had trusted. One of her most pressing concerns, she said, is how long the device may have been hidden in the restroom. No timeline has been established by law enforcement.

Hansen, who operates an independent private practice at the Memorial Hermann Memorial City campus near the 900 block of Frostwood Drive, had his arraignment on February 27. His bond was set at $100, which he posted, and he was released. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 9.

Precinct 5 deputies say they have recovered all video from the camera. The victims' attorney shared the employee's cellphone footage of the device with news media.

Memorial Hermann Health System issued a statement drawing a clear line between the hospital system and Hansen's practice: "We are aware of an incident within a private physician clinic located on the Memorial City campus. The clinic operates as an independent private practice, and it is our understanding that law enforcement is investigating the matter."

Hansen's attorney disputed the substance of the allegations in a written statement. "At this time, the Harris County District Attorney's office has not produced any evidence substantiating the claims against Dr. Hansen. Based on the limited information available to us, there is no suggestion that inappropriate footage was taken of any person at Dr. Hansen's office and no allegation that Dr. Hansen did or attempted to do anything to harm his patients."

The Harris County Precinct 5 Constable's Office continues to investigate the case, with Hansen's next scheduled court appearance still weeks away.