UC Irvine doctor accused of secretly filming people in his home bathroom pleads not guilty

A doctor in the UC Irvine School of Medicine pleaded not guilty Friday to charges stemming from allegations that he secretly filmed people in the bathroom of his home in Orange.

Dr. Duc Minh Vu, 33, is charged with 13 misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct, according to Orange County Superior Court records.

If convicted, he could face up to six years and six months in county jail, according to prosecutors.

Vu is identified on the UC Irvine medical school website as a clinical instructor in the neurology department. UCI Health spokesman John Murray said Monday that Vu is on leave and “has no contact with patients.”

It isn’t clear how long Vu has been on leave or whether he is being paid during his time off.

“UCI was not previously aware of this behavior, which did not take place on university property,” Murray said.

Prosecutors allege Vu placed two concealed cameras in the restroom of his home — one that appeared to be a black USB charger and another disguised as a digital clock. More than a dozen guests and roommates were secretly filmed by the cameras, prosecutors said.

One of the people discovered the cameras on Aug. 5, 2017, and called the Orange Police Department, prosecutors said.

Vu is expected in court Sept. 10 for a pretrial hearing.

Susan Wolbarst, a spokeswoman for the California Medical Board, said Vu’s medical license is unaffected so far because he has not been convicted.

KTLA contributed to this report.

Fry writes for Times Community News.