He set up peep-cam, cops say

Newsday
Jan. 24, 2006

A Staten Island man employed by the city Department of Education was arrested and charged with secretly installing two surveillance cameras in a Selden woman's home, including one in the bathroom, Suffolk police said yesterday.

Michael Conte, 46, an engineer, was arrested on Sunday after the Selden woman, whose name was not released, discovered a hard drive that recorded the images in her home. She then confronted Conte, a family friend who had done frequent handyman work. He admitted to placing a surveillance and video camera to tape her and other relatives, police said.

Conte was arrested Sunday and held overnight at the Sixth Precinct before being arraigned yesterday at First District Court in Central Islip, police said. As a result of the charge - unlawful surveillance in the second degree - he will be temporarily reassigned to a regional office of the Department of Education, a spokesman said.

"He'll be out of the public schools until the charges are finalized," said Keith Kalb, a spokesman for the Department of Education.

Conte could not be reached for comment.

Conte has known the woman and her family for five years, according to police. They said the images were not sold or distributed, and that it was unclear if there were any other victims.

Conte could face more than a year in jail, police said. He was held on $50,000 cash and a $100,000 bond and sent to Suffolk County jail in Riverhead.