In a recent court filing, Christin Matthes has lodged a civil complaint against Christian Rodgers and Lyndsy Rodgers. The complaint was filed in the Superior Court of Los Angeles County on April 18, 2018, with Judge Holly Fujie presiding over the case (Case No. BC702531). Matthes alleges that Christian Rodgers attempted to film her while she was showering on her last day working as an au pair for the Rodgers family.
Matthes, a native of Germany trained in pediatric nursing and healthcare management, moved to the United States in March 2017 to work as an au pair for the Rodgers family. She took care of their three young children and performed light household tasks. On November 8, 2017, Matthes noticed a phone attached to a pole outside her bathroom window while she was showering. She screamed loudly upon seeing it, causing Christian Rodgers to drop the phone and retreat inside the house.
The plaintiff claims that Christian's actions caused her severe emotional distress and anxiety. "I literally was just shaking," Matthes testified, adding that she feared there might be other cameras in her room or that videos of her could end up online. Despite notifying Lyndsy via text message about the incident shortly after it occurred, Matthes received no immediate response.
The jury found Christian liable for constructive invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress (IIED), awarding Matthes $450,000 in compensatory damages and $1.8 million in punitive damages against him. Lyndsy was found liable for negligent infliction of emotional distress (NIED) and sexual harassment under California's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), resulting in $200,000 in compensatory damages and $200,000 in punitive damages against her.
The defendants argued that the trial court improperly instructed the jury on negligence and punitive damages. They contended that certain verdicts were not supported by substantial evidence and claimed that both compensatory and punitive damages were excessive. However, Judge Fujie affirmed the judgment, stating that substantial evidence supported the jury's findings.
Matthes is seeking full compensation for emotional distress caused by both defendants' actions during and after the incident. Her legal team argues that both Christian's invasive act and Lyndsy's failure to protect or aid Matthes contributed significantly to her ongoing psychological trauma.
Representing Matthes is attorney Sean D. Muntz from RMO LLP, while Katherine C. McBroom and Henry L. Whitehead represent the defendants from Kaedian Law Firm.