A North Hills cardiologist was convicted Monday of installing a hidden camera in his Manhasset office bathroom to secretly view patients and employees. 
Vincent Pacienza, 54, was found guilty in Nassau County court of unlawful surveillance. As a result, he will be required to register as a sex offender for the next 10 years and the New York State health department could suspend or revoke his medical license.
Pacienza told some of his female employees that he would be installing an air purifier in the office restroom that was shared by both employees and patients in June 2008. Pacienza also closed down the employees-only bathroom, forcing everyone in the office to use the shared bathroom.
But the air purifier, which faced the toilet, contained a hidden wireless camera with a direct video feed to a monitor underneath Pacienza’s desk, prosecutors said. The camera was discovered that same month when an employee opening the office mail discovered an invoice to Pacienza for the hidden camera and air purifier from a Web site specializing in surveillance equipment.
Pacienza was arrested shortly later after Nassau County police recovered the wireless transmitting camera, a receiver and monitor.
“This defendant completely betrayed the trust of his employees, many of whom worked him for many years,” Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said.
He faces up to four years in prison when he is sentenced July 3.
