Exclusive: Maintenance man accused of spying on women with hidden camera

DENVER — Residents say even in their pristine condo building near 12th and Humboldt, they now have serious questions about their privacy.

“I think everybody in the building is freaked out,” said one resident who asked us not to identify him.

Police say on the first floor of the building is a bathroom used by residents and guests.

In August they say a woman was washing her hands at a sink when she heard sounds underneath. When she looked underneath, she found a light blinking on a camera facing the toilet she had just used.

“I think this is a very unusual set of circumstances that the victim found the camera. It had actually been taped up under the sink under the bathroom and fallen off,” said  Lynn Kimbrough with the Denver District Attorney’s Office.

Police say the victim found nine videos on the camera including one showing James Bussell installing the camera. The victim instantly recognized Bussell. He was the building’s maintenance man for nearly three decades.

“The whole situation shocks me. (It’s) very disturbing. A man we’ve trusted for 26 years and this happens. It’s a big deal,” said a resident.

We found Bussell at his home, free on bond following his arrest. Police say he admitted to as many as 20 secret recordings.

“It has been reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor,” said Bussell who declined to comment further.

Bussell has been charged with one misdemeanor count of invasion of privacy. He faces up to 18 months in jail if convicted. Police are analyzing his computer to determine whether there are additional victims.