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Charges dismissed in case of former VA employee accused of peeping into dorms

PITTSBURGH — An invasion of privacy charge was withdrawn Wednesday in the case of a former nurse with the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Oakland accused of peeping into University of Pittsburgh dorms.

Paul May was arrested in November 2017 after VA police officers said he was caught in a parking garage at the hospital using a spotting scope to peer into nearby dorms. Investigators said surveillance cameras captured him using the scope.

On Wednesday, May was in court for a preliminary hearing. The district attorney withdrew the invasion of privacy charge and all other charges were dropped.

"I am relieved,” May said.

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Prosecutors dropped one charge and the judge dismissed the rest.

“As Paul May stands here beside me after an extensive hearing, there are no charges against him, all charges were dismissed, he's guilty of no crime and he's relieved this prosecution is now over,” said May’s defense attorney Robert Del Greco.

Months ago, investigators said May used the scope three times to look into a dorm.

Today in court, his attorney argued May was too far away from the students to be charged with prowling or loitering.

“The argument I made was 200 yards is two times Heinz Field. I dare say anyone who's within 200 yards of a dwelling place of another is not loitering maliciously,” Del Greco said.

But even though the charges are dismissed, May is still without a job.

After he was charged, the VA fired him.

“He has been fired, he has no income, there is a grievance pending. I promise all that Paul will not speak to this or I engage in the facts until this administrative hearing begins,” Del Greco said.

His attorney hopes today's outcome helps may get his job back.

 

Cox Media Group

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