Key Points
- A proposed class-action lawsuit has been filed in Washington state against The Pokémon Company International over allegations that a former senior employee secretly recorded people in office bathrooms.
- Former director of engineering Ben Tsai has already faced criminal charges, including first-degree voyeurism and charges related to child sexual abuse material.
- Investigators allege hidden cameras were used not only at The Pokémon Company’s Bellevue office, but also at a Starbucks, a Safeway store, and Tsai’s home.
- The civil case seeks to represent women and girls who may have used the company’s female bathrooms in Bellevue between 2017 and 2026.
- The lawsuit alleges negligence by The Pokémon Company International, claiming it failed to identify the risk or stop Tsai’s alleged conduct.
- Tsai has denied the charges, while the company says its focus remains on the well-being of employees and it cannot comment further because of pending litigation.
Bellevue (Evening Washington News) August 5, 2026 — The Pokémon Company International is facing renewed scrutiny after a proposed class-action lawsuit was filed in Washington state over allegations that its former director of engineering secretly placed cameras in office bathrooms and recorded women and girls without their consent.
What are the allegations against Ben Tsai?
Ben Tsai, 45, who previously served as director of engineering at the company’s Bellevue headquarters, was initially charged in January with first-degree voyeurism after a hidden camera was discovered in a Starbucks bathroom in Kirkland.
Investigators later alleged that hidden cameras were also found or linked to a Safeway store, Tsai’s home, and a workplace bathroom at The Pokémon Company’s Bellevue office.
Prosecutors subsequently added charges involving the dealing and possession of depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct after investigators reportedly discovered hundreds of videos on electronic devices. Court filings allege recordings were made in Pokémon office bathrooms, a Starbucks, hotel rooms, and Tsai’s home.
What does the class-action lawsuit claim?
The civil lawsuit was filed by an unnamed Jane Doe in Washington state court and seeks class-action status for women and girls who used the company’s female restroom facilities in Bellevue between 2017 and 2026.
The complaint alleges Tsai’s recordings may not have been solely for personal use and claims The Pokémon Company International failed to adequately supervise him or respond to warning signs. The lawsuit argues the company was negligent in its duty to protect employees and visitors from the alleged conduct.
How has The Pokémon Company responded?
A company spokesperson said the organization’s focus remains on the well-being of its employees and that it cannot comment further because of the pending litigation. Tsai is no longer employed by the company.
Tsai’s attorney has stated that his client has entered, and will continue to enter, not-guilty pleas to all criminal charges and remains presumed innocent. The allegations have not yet been tested in court.
Why is this case drawing wider attention?
The case has attracted significant attention because it combines serious criminal allegations, workplace privacy concerns, and a proposed class-action lawsuit involving a globally recognized entertainment company.
The allegations also extend beyond the workplace, with investigators claiming cameras were placed at multiple public and private locations, potentially affecting employees, visitors, members of the public, and children.
Background of the development
The investigation began after a hidden camera was allegedly discovered in a Starbucks bathroom in Kirkland in January. Authorities later expanded the investigation after examining devices seized from Tsai, leading to additional alleged evidence, more criminal charges, and claims involving multiple locations.
The proposed class-action lawsuit shifts part of the legal focus from Tsai’s alleged personal conduct to whether The Pokémon Company International bears civil responsibility for failing to provide a safe workplace and adequate oversight.
What could this mean for affected people?
If the court certifies the class action, women and girls who used the Bellevue office restrooms during the period identified in the lawsuit could become eligible to participate in the case.
The litigation may also prompt increased attention to workplace privacy protections, restroom security, and corporate oversight practices. For The Pokémon Company International, the case could affect its reputation, employee trust, and future compliance measures, while Tsai continues to face separate criminal proceedings.
