Pokémon Company Sued for Negligence Over Ex-Director's Voyeurism and Child Abuse Material

The Pokémon Company's former engineering director at its Bellevue, Washington headquarters, Ben Tsai, is facing a class action lawsuit over allegations that he installed hidden cameras in restrooms at the company's offices. In January 2026, he was first charged with first-degree voyeurism after a camera was discovered in a restroom at a nearby Starbucks. Subsequent investigations revealed that Tsai was also accused of placing cameras in restrooms at a Safeway supermarket, his own home, and the Pokémon Company's offices. After hundreds of videos depicting naked adults and children were allegedly found, some of which he purportedly recorded himself, Tsai was additionally charged with trading and possessing child sexual abuse material. Tsai denies all charges and has not been an employee of the Pokémon Company since his initial arrest in January 2026.

Tsai is currently released on bail but remains in police custody. The lawsuit also names the Pokémon Company as a defendant, alleging that the company failed to identify Tsai's potential threat and failed to control his behavior, constituting negligence in protecting its employees. A spokesperson for the Pokémon Company said the company's focus remains on the well-being of its employees.