Bar Owner Charged For Hidden Camera In Bathroom

CHICO, Calif. (AP) -- The owner of a Northern California bar has been charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct for installing a hidden camera in the bathroom.

   Panama Bar owner Robert Stephen Mowry II tells the Chico Enterprise-Record he installed the cameras in a fake smoke detector to catch vandals and protect the safety of customers. The camera was installed in 2005.

   Butte County prosecutors say a customer notified police after seeing an employee watching a live video feed from inside the bathroom.

   California law prohibits videotaping in public bathrooms or dressing rooms where there's a reasonable expectation of privacy.